Hiram Mills

Major Hiram Mills (–1882) was an American-born philanthropist.

Originally from Virginia, Mills moved to Montreal at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Mills inherited a substantial sum from his father, who had been a plantation owner, but generally declined to discuss his previous career and asked that no obituary be published for him. At one point, Mills offered $20,000 to the city to purchase bread for the poor, but attached so many conditions to the bequest that it was refused. Mills left a further $30,000 to the Western Hospital and $20,000 to the Anglican church, but left no provision for his widow. McGill College and the Anglican synod established a pension of $450 per annum for Mrs. Mills.