May, Sir Humphrey (1573-1630). Born in England. Educated at Oxford. In 1604 groom of the King's privy chamber; in 1618 surveyor of the Court of Wards, and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster; and in 1625 privy councillor; in 1629 one of the commissioners appointed to negotiate a settlement in North American affairs between England and France. Index: Ch English commissioner in matter of Canada, 214. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.
May, Sir Thomas Erskine. See Farnborough.
Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872). In 1865-1866 commanded the military division of the Atlantic, during which period prevented the Fenians from making Eastport, Maine, the base of operations against New Brunswick. Index: T Sent to check Fenians, 107. Bib.: Cyc. Am. Biog.
Meares, John (1756-1809). Born in England. Entered the navy, 1776, and served against the French until 1783. Entered the merchant service, 1783, and explored the coast of Alaska, 1786. Explored and surveyed the north-west coast of America, 1789. Index: D Winters 1786-1787 in Prince William Sound, 22; half his crew die of scurvy, 22; voyage of 1788, and his connection with "Nootka Affair," 26; at Canton, 1788, 27; expedition to North-West Coast, 27; at Nootka, 27; purchases land from Maquinna for fur-trading post, 27; builds North-West America, at Nootka,—first ship launched in what is now British Columbia, 28; explores coast southwards, 28; enters and examines Strait of Juan de Fuca, and takes possession for Great Britain, 28; sails for China, 28. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.
Medley, John (1804-1892). Born in London, England. Graduated at Oxford, 1826; ordained priest, 1829; vicar of St. John's, Truro, 1831; of St. Thomas, Exeter, 1838, and prebendary of Exeter cathedral, 1842. Elected first bishop of Fredericton, New Brunswick, 1845; metropolitan of Canada, 1879. Bib.: Mockridge, The Bishops of the Church of England in Canada and Newfoundland; Dent, Can. Por.
Meech, Lieutenant. WM Makes reconnaissance of Island of Orleans, 92.
Meilleur, Jean Baptiste (1795-1878). Born in St. Laurent, near Montreal. Educated at the College of St. Sulpice, Montreal; studied law, and, later, medicine. Elected to the Assembly, 1834, and appointed superintendent of public instruction by Sir Charles Bagot, 1842. Held this position for fifteen years, during which time forty-five educational institutions were established. In 1862 appointed postmaster of Montreal. One of the founders of the College of L'Assomption. Index: BL Appointed superintendent of public instruction by Bagot, 115. Bib.: Bibaud, Dict. Hist. and Pan. Can.
Melbourne, William Lamb, second Viscount (1779-1848). Born in London, England. Educated at Eton, Cambridge, and Glasgow. Entered Parliament, 1805; Irish secretary under Canning, 1827, and under Wellington, 1828; and in 1830-1834 home secretary under Grey; for a few months in 1834, prime minister. In 1835 again became prime minister and retained office for six years; from 1837 to 1841 acted as adviser to the young Queen Victoria. Index: Sy Becomes prime minister, 45; dismissed by the king, 45; recalled to power, 46; weakness of his government, 47; his estimate of Poulett Thomson, 6; resigns, 56; returns to office, 57; Cabinet reorganized, 57. W Negotiations re New Brunswick crown lands, 37. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.; Letters of Queen Victoria.
Melville, Henry Dundas, first Viscount (1742-1811). Sat for Midlothian, 1774-1790, and for Edinburgh, 1790-1802; home secretary, 1791-1794; secretary of war, 1794-1801; first lord of admiralty, 1804-1805. Index: S Secretary of state, thought Simcoe's educational schemes premature, 169. Dr Colonial secretary, disapproves of Dorchester's speech to Miami Indians, 283. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.
Melville, Henry Dundas, third Viscount (1801-1876). Served through Rebellion of 1837. General, 1868. Index: Mc Defends Windmill Point, 443; accepts Van Schoultz's surrender, 444. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.