A proponent of bilingualism, his will established travelling fellowships for the McGill University Faculty of Law that paid the costs for English-speaking Quebec lawyers to study the French language and the history of the French Civil Code in France. The money Macdonald donated to philanthropic causes was unparalleled in the history of Canada yet despite his wealth and good works, he remained a humble man who avoided publicity.
A proponent of bilingualism, his will established fellowships at McGill University Faculty of Law for English-speaking Quebec lawyers to study French and the history of the French Civil Code in France. Macdonald's donations to philanthropic causes were unmatched in Canadian history; although he was wealthy and accomplished, he remained a humble person who avoided publicity.