Every year on the first Friday of February, Dalhousie closes its doors to celebrate Munro Day. And for good reason. Without George Munro, Dalhousie University would merely be a page in a history book.
Who is George Munro and what is Munro Day?
Watch the video to learn about Munro’s contribution to Dalhousie.
https://www.dal.ca/about-dal/history-tradition/george_munro_day.html
George Munro, born in 1825 near the once active shipping port of Pictou, Nova Scotia, did not attend Dalhousie, nor did he follow his first career choice of becoming a Presbyterian minister. Instead, he made his way to New York City and fulfilled his destiny in the printing and publishing business, amassing great wealth in the process. Even so, his loyalty and attachment to Nova Scotia prevailed. When Dalhousie faced extinction, his gifts of $330,000 ($10 or $11 million today) brought life and independence to the fledgling institution. George Munro endowed Dalhousie chairs in physics, history, political economy, English literature, and philosophy.
George Munro’s legacy is a reminder that individual contributions to education, even those seemingly small, generate positive outcomes for society.
Write up credit to RBudd2021
This is so fascinating. My maternal side of my family are Munro. My maternal grandfather’s family arrived on the “Hector” at Pictou Landing. Now, I am compelled to investigate my ancestry to see if George Munro is a clan member. If I were a gambler, I’d place my money on the side of, “yes”. One solid clue is how Munro is spelt versus the more common, Munroe.
It was in my mid forties that I decided to pursue higher education. Dalhousie was the only university I would even consider. Then–and now. Must be in the genes. 🙂