Hart Massey

Who was Hart Massey?

Hart Almerrin Massey was a Canadian businessman and philanthropist born in Haldimand Township in what was then known as Upper Canada. His parents were Daniel Massey and Lucina Bradley. The doorstep of the original Massey homestead can still be found behind the current farmhouse on the farm, still in the Massey family.

Hart Massey was an industrialist who built the firm that became Massey-Harris, the farm equipment giant that is now Varity. The Massey Manufacturing Co. had been founded by his father, Daniel Massey; Hart Massey became sole owner in 1855 and moved it from rural Newcastle to the city of Toronto.

Charitable gifts in his will led to the creation of the Massey Foundation, whose first major project was the completion of a student centre for the University of Toronto, which was given the name Hart House. The foundation also contributed to Massey Hall, a cultural landmark in Toronto, and more recently endowed Massey College, also at U of T. Massey was also a member of the Freemasons.

Hart Massey died in Toronto in 1896 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.