Peter Redpath Esq., late of Montreal, Que., was born in that city, August 1st, 1821. His parents, John Redpath andJanet McPhee, were both born in Scotland, the former in Berwickshire, and the latter in Invernessshire. His father was a mechanic, who came, in early life, to Canada, and with remarkable shrewdness, industry and perseverance, worked his way, step by step, until he became one of the most prominent men of Montreal. He was for a time joint contractor on the Rideau Canal, with the late Honorable Thomas McKay, who erected, as a private residence for him, the original portion of Rideau Hall, Ottawa. 

Mr. Redpath was educated in Montreal, and along with his father, in 1854, founded the Redpath Sugar Refinery, the first and largest in Canada. In this enterprise they were joined, almost at the first, by Mr. G. A. Drummond, now a Senator of the Dominion. Mr. Redpath's busy life always preclududed his accepting public office of any kind, for which he was never desirous. He has, however, always taken a practical interest in the educational and benevolent institutions of his native city, as his munificent endowments of  McGill College and his administration of the Montreal General Hospital testify. His public spirit, tact, industry, integrity and generosity have brought him before the public as one of the prominent men of the Dominion. 

The success of the Redpaths is an evidence of what genuine courage and determination will accomplish. Their accumulation is not simply the result of propitious circumstances, but rather came of that ability and pluck which compelled ordinary opportunities to yield that which they sought, thus making even obstacles helpful to their progress. 

In religion, Mr. Redpath is a Presbyterian. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Grace Wood, daughter of the late William Wood, Esq., of Bowdon, Cheshire, England. In 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Redpath left Montreal, and now reside in the beautiful Manor House, Chisselhurst, Kent, Eng.