McLennan Family Fond
WILLIAM MCLENNAN
William McLennan born the 8th of May 1856 was the fourth child of Hugh McLennan and Isabella Stewart. William was a notable man in Montreal's scholarly community. He graduated from McGill college with a Bachelor of Civil Law and quickly moved forward in establishing a partnership in his Law firm in Montreal. William was also very accomplished within the literary world having several of his stories and poems published in newspapers. William married Marion Paterson, and together they had three children Alice, Elizabeth and Durie McLennan (RBSC)
Aside from William’s successful career, within the archives it was discovered that William seemed to be a loving family man. In the last year of his life as William McLennan was abroad searching for medical help, and it was then William wrote in a journal everyday for his son Durie McLennan everyday. In the journal one can see the care and love he has for his family. Additionally, William interestingly details his avid interest for fishing (McLennan).
This is an extract from William's diary, also displayed in the picture below:
“My darling boy , you just wait until you go to sea alone and then you’ll know how fine and warming to the… heart it is to get a telegram from you son as well as a good long letter of others from Aunt Alice, Auntie Belle, and Uncle Bart. They were better than the boxes and boxes of Lander that came for our Hebrew passengers.”
This is a portrait of William McLennan from the RBSC archives at UBC.
Showing William's caring character, this is a drawing for Elizabeth's fifth birthday.
William writes to Durie about the joy of receiving correspondence from family.
Works cited
McLennan, William. Sketch of William for Elizabeth. 31 July 1891. Box 1 File 9. McLennan Family Fonds. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
McLennan, William. Diary to son Durrie. August 14 1902 - May 14 1903. Box 8 file 2. McLennan Family Fond. The Unviersity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
nd. Photograph. McLennan Family Fond. Box 1 File 9. University of British Columbia Rare Books and Special Collections. Vancouver, Canada.
Shriver, Chelsea. William McLennan 1956-1904. RBSC Archives. Rare Books and Special Collections University of British Columbia. Web. 5 Feb. 2016.
Sir J. G. Bourinot. Letter from Sir J. G. Bourinot to William McLennan. 31 May 1899. Box 5 file 4. McLennan Family Fonds. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.