James Leveson Ross (1848 – 20 September 1913), of Montreal, was a Scottish-born Canadian civil engineer, businessman and philanthropist.

He oversaw the electrification of street railways in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saint John, Birmingham (England), Mexico City and São Paulo.

[3] After marrying in 1872 (see notes below on his family), Ross became chief engineer of the Wisconsin Central Railway and then the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad.

On Lake Ontario, Ross came into contact with George Laidlaw and several other well-connected railway promoters, who persuaded him to come to Canada.

Ross was then appointed as acting consulting engineer for the Ontario and Quebec Railway, during which time he came into contact with three ambitious young men, namely William Mackenzie, Donald Mann and Herbert S. Holt.

With the brief to meet up with the team driving east from the Pacific Ocean under Andrew Onderdonk, Ross was appointed general manager and chief engineer of the NARCC, and he immediately employed the services of Mackenzie, Mann, and Holt.

Starting at Swift Current, they built 623 miles (1,003 km) of railway to Craigellachie, British Columbia, by 7 November 1885, over the Rocky Mountains,[3] the Selkirks and the Gold Range.

Completing the project a year ahead of time, Van Horne commented at the opening of the line that Ross's record meant millions to the Canadian Pacific Railway.

In achieving this, Ross stuck up a lifelong friendship with Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, who drove "The Last Spike".

[1] In 1886, Ross was appointed manager of construction for the Ontario and Quebec Railway, filling in gaps to allow full access into the CPR's Montreal to Windsor line, and onwards to the Michigan Central Railroad.

Ross then completed extensions of the CPR west of the Rockies to enable full access to the Pacific.

In 1889, Ross became first president of the Columbia River Lumber Company, which provided timber for railways and housing projects.

However, his influence could not resolve a long contract dispute between the two for the supply of high-grade coal at a disadvantageous price, which resulted in a case review at the High Court of Justice in London, England.

[4] In 1892, architect Bruce Price completed a French château-style mansion for Ross at 3644 Peel Street in Montreal's Golden Square Mile.

[3] He owned several yachts during his lifetime, including the Glencairn, which won the coveted and prestigious Seawanhaka Corinthian Cup for half-raters in American waters, 1896.

He was a Trustee of Bishop's College School, Governor of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, and of McGill University, donating generously to all institutions.

Following his around the world trip aboard his yacht Glencairn, Ross died of existing heart complications at his home in the Golden Square Mile on 20 September 1913.