Charles William Colby, a historian and financier, was born on March 28, 1867 in Stanstead, Quebec. He was the son of a prominent businessman and politician. After obtaining his B.A. at McGill in 1887, he continued his studies at Harvard, at which university he earned his M.A. and PhD. At the age of 26 he received an appointment as lecturer of history at McGill, and soon thereafter was promoted to the level of professor. From 1899 until 1921 he occupied t he Kingsford Chair of History. Colby then retired from teaching to look after the extensive interests which he inherited from his father. His association with McGill continued, however, as Colby served as governor of the university for several years. McGill granted him an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1921. He died December 10, 1955 in Montreal, Quebec.