John Molson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 28 December 1763 Moulton, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 11 January 1836 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Mount Royal Cemetery |
| Nationality | British-Canadian |
| Military Service | |
| Allegiance | Lower Canada |
| Service | Canadian Militia |
| Years of service | 1812-13 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 5th Select Embodied Militia |
| Battles / wars | War of 1812 |
| Occupation | Brewer |
John Molson (28 December 1763 – 11 January 1836) was an English-born brewer and entrepreneur in colonial Quebec, which during his lifetime became Lower Canada. In addition to founding Molson Brewery, he was responsible for building the first steamship and the first public railway in Canada, was a president of the Bank of Montreal, and established a hospital, a hotel, and a theatre in Montreal. Molson was also the "leader" (provincial grand master) of the freemason's lodge of Montreal up to three years before his death, from 1826 to 1833. The dynasty he founded, the Molson family, is still a wealthy and powerful force in Canada.