Title: John M. King fonds.

Dates: 1822-1900.

Extent: 1.8 m of textual records. -- 1 album: 39 photographs.

Biographical sketch: John M. King was born in Yitholm, Scotland in 1829. While still quite young, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh where he studied mathematics, philosophy, and theology graduating with an M.A. in 1856. After furthering his theological studies at the University of Halle in Germany, he came to Canada to take up Presbyterian ministries in Galt, Ingersoll, Columbus and Whitby, Ontario (then known as Canada West). In 1863, he was appointed minister of Gould Street, later St. James Square Church in Toronto. Twenty years later, while serving as moderator of the General Assembly, he accepted the principalship of the College of Manitoba in Winnipeg, forerunner of the University of Winnipeg. King lived in Winnipeg until his death in 1899. He was widely-known and highly regarded as a leading Presbyterian theologian, educator and administrator. His daughter, Helen, married the Reverend Charles William Gordon (Ralph Connor).

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by the King family in 1989.

Scope and content: The fonds contains over 1,000 handwritten, nineteenth century letters from family members and friends, an impressive selection of an equally large number of his original sermons, a large selection of his biblical commentaries and lecture notes, a few photographs, and a fewer number of materials on the early development of Manitoba College.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 63, PC 82 (A.89-57).