William Snodgrass (minister) facts for kids

William Snodgrass (born September 4, 1827 – died July 22, 1906) was an important Canadian Presbyterian minister. He also served as the sixth Principal of Queen's College, which is now known as Queen's University. During his time leading the university, many big changes happened, and he helped save the school from serious money problems.

Who Was William Snodgrass?

William Snodgrass was born in Scotland. He later moved to Canada and became a minister in the Presbyterian Church. Ministers are religious leaders who guide their communities. Snodgrass was known for his strong leadership and dedication.

Leading Queen's University

In 1864, William Snodgrass became the Principal of Queen's College. This was a very important job, similar to being the president of a university today. Queen's College was a growing school in Kingston, Ontario.

Big Changes at Queen's

During Snodgrass's time as Principal, several new things were started at Queen's:

• The role of chancellor was created. A chancellor is usually a ceremonial head of a university.
• A university council was formed. This group helps make important decisions about the school.
• The Queen's Journal, the university's student newspaper, published its very first issue. This newspaper is still running today!

Saving the University's Future

One of Snodgrass's biggest achievements was helping Queen's University when it was in financial trouble. The school needed money to keep running and grow. Snodgrass led a huge fundraising effort. He worked hard to get donations from many people. This campaign was very successful and helped save Queen's from closing down. His efforts ensured the university could continue to educate students for many years to come.