Rob Roy, the Philanthropist

1895

During more than 40 years John MacGregor (Rob Roy) was a great exemplar of the best sort of philanthropy. There was some narrowness, perhaps bigotry, in his religious creed, but none whatever in his practice. He was a man of considerable attainments in literature, science, art and music. Above all, he was a born adventurer, as his voyages in his "Rob Roy" canoe testify, and all the profits that he obtained from his books and lectures were handed over to the charities — charities of the best sort — in which he was interested.

By lecturing alone he earned and thus applied £10,000, and having set himself to collect that sum he persevered in the work during several years, and after his health had begun to fail, until the total had been reached. Dying in 1892, at the age of 67, he left a record of steady heroism and of real service to his fellow men which is almost unique. — Academy.