James McGill is well known as the founder of McGill University but the rest of his accomplishments remain little known. This new biography reveals the fascinating life story of a man who, as fur trader, merchant, public servant, and colonel of the militia, played a significant role in Canada's development.

Founded by four Scottish physicians, the McGill School of Medicine opened in 1829. Teaching style in the school followed the so-called Edinburgh tradition, which for decades emphasized anatomy and clinical observation and ignored progressive educational theory and scientific advances. Out of this conservative environment, however, emerged four remarkable young professors who would lead the reform that marked a new era in medicine at McGill. William Osler, Francis Shephard, Thomas Roddick, and George Ross introduced laboratory training to teach students the scientific method in a hands-on environment and to encourage them to develop a more sophisticated approach to clinical medicine and surgery. McGill Medicine: Volume 1 records not only the history of Canada's premier medical school but also the evolution of scientific medical education in Lower Canada.