PUBLISHER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 12

PUBLISHER'S DEATH

BARON ATHOLSTAN GENEROUS IMPERIALIST MONTREAL, Jan. 28 The death lias occurred of Baron Atholstan, publisher of the Montreal Star. He was aged 90 years. As Hugh Graham, a Quebec farm boy, ho founded a partnership with Mr. George Lanigan, which was dissolved when Mr. Lanigan advocated the annexation of Canada by the United States. During the stringent pioneer days, he hauled a newsprint wheelbarrow to collect street newsboys' pennies. An ardent imperialist, he persuaded Sir Wilfred Laurior to send a Canadian contingent to the Boer War.

-Hugh Grnlmm, afterwards Baron Atholstan, was born in Huntingdon County, Quebec, and educated at tlio local 'academy. Starting in journalism, lie joined the staff of the Montreal Telegraph in later becoming secretary and treasurer of the Gazette Printing Company. In 1869 he und others launched the Evening Star, now known as tho Montreal Star, which became one of the leading papers in Canada. Ho was also owner of the Weekly Star and was interested in several other important publications. Baron Atholstan was in the forefront of all kinds of charitable and patriotic movements. During the Boer War ho was most zealous in connection with the despatch of the Canadian contingent and insured the lives of the Canadians to the extent of 1,000,000 dollars. He also organised a children's patriotic fund for the families of British soldiers, and promoted an Indian famine fund and a children's shilling fund for Belgian orphans during thd war. Keenly interested in medical research, he gave 100,000 dollars for the investigation of cancer and later another 100,000 dollars for the first college graduate who should find an eifectivo medicinal cure for cancer within five years. As founder of the Health League of Montreal, he endowed it with a first subscription of 100,000 dollars. In 1908 he started the Children's Fresh Air Fund and later became president of the Family Welfare Association. He also gave 100,000 dollars to McGill University. In 1908 he was knighted for his public services and was raised to tho peerage as Baron Atholstan in February, 1017.