James Paris Lee
Inducted In
1972
The famous Lee rifle and the first Remington typewriter were invented by James P. Lee, son of a Scottish immigrant who came to Galt in 1836.
Lee showed a great interest in firearms and while experimenting in Dickson’s Bush injured his foot, causing a permanent limp.
At 19 years of age he went to Milwaukee and there invented the Lee rifle. He was asked by the British government to consult with a certain Mr. Metford who had been commissioned to produce a gun suitable for the infantry and cavalry. Metford chose Lee’s gun and it became known as the Lee-Metford rifle.
Lee also invented the Lee-Enfield rifle that was used by the British in the Boer War, and in the First and Second World Wars. The rifle was also used by the USA, China, Spain, Denmark and Mexico.