James Cameron Todd

James Cameron Todd (October 13, 1863 - 1915) was an Anglican canon. He was born in Rangoon in British Burma to a father of the same name.

He attended the Royal High School (Edinburgh) from 1874 to 1881 and the University of Glasgow from 1881 to 1884 where he graduated with a B.Sc. degree, having been a pupil of Lord Kelvin.

He moved to South Africa, and in 1887, he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Bloemfontein. He was curate of Vryburg, Bechuanaland in 1887 and curate of Kimberley, Griqualand from 1887 to 1888.

In 1888, he was admitted to Christ's College, Cambridge, having obtained a scholarship. He pursued M.Sc. degree which he gained with first class honours, resulting in his election as Scholar of the College the following year.

In 1890, he was ordained priest in St. Paul’s Cathedral and took up the post of Curate at St John’s Hammersmith in 1891.

He moved to Natal 1894 as Chaplain to Bishop Baynes, became Diocesan Theological tutor (1894-1899), and was appointed Canon of Natal (1894-1904).

In 1896 he founded Michaelhouse in Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg. When he opened the doors on the first day in August 1896, it was as a private venture with 15 founding boys. Ten of these were boarders, and five were day boys. It is said that without Todd, Michaelhouse would never have been born.

While the school was in Pietermaritzburg, Todd worked to establish the school as the Diocesan College of Natal with its own Board of Governors. He also looked for a suitable country site to relocate the school away from the distractions of town. In 1901, the school moved to its current premises in Balgowan.

In 1903, Todd resigned as Rector. He had ordered a piano without the approval of the board and as this was a substantial expenditure which required the boards approval a dispute ensued which culminated in Todd’s decision to leave Michaelhouse.

Todd returned to England 1904. In London, he became engaged in literary and educational work. He wrote a number of books including ‘Politics and religion in Ancient Israel.’ Although he held no ecclesiastical position, he was in great demand as a preacher among the famous London Churches, preaching at both St James Picadilly and the Temple Church.

He was sympathetic to the cause of the Suffragettes, despite opposition from the Church. At St George’s Bloomsbury, he gave a memorable sermon at the funeral of Emily Davidson.

He was owner and headmaster of Netherfields School at Crouch End London, where he met his future wife, a staff member. In 1911, he sold the school and went to Canada where he married Ailee Mary Gallaher in St George’s Cathedral, Montreal.

On their return to England, the couple started a preparatory school (Kelvin House School) in Ruislip, London. In 1912, his first daughter Jean was born, followed in 1914 by Margaret. Todd died in 1915, at the age of 51, and is buried in Ruislip Cemetary.

References

Barrett A.M. 1969. Michaelhouse, 1896-1968. Natal Winess, Pietermaritzburg, South africa