In 1808, Thomas McCulloch (1776 - 1843), the academy's founder and first principal (1816 - 1837), established a grammar school at Pictou in his home.

[2] The school was granted government funding only in 1811; prior to this, its operation relied on subscriptions from local residents.

McCulloch wanted a nonsectarian college that would train local ministers and offer to all a liberal scientific curriculum modelled on the University of Glasgow.

At Pictou, McCulloch began to build up its library and collected insect and bird specimens for a natural history museum.

Throughout his years as principal, McCulloch had a constant struggle with government funding, trustees, the status of the academy, and religious groups, both in Pictou and the province.

McCulloch fought vigorously for his ideas, but by 1837, he was in a very difficult position and left the academy to become the first principal of the new Dalhousie College in Halifax.

Many gifts and prizes were left to Pictou Academy by its students and others and in 1916, the centenary committee took on a role of continuing support.

Not only was Pictou Academy an important educational institution, but "Over it was fought the battle of the nineteenth century against unconstitutional government and religious intolerance.

It was largely over the rights and wrongs of the Academy more than any other question that the fight was waged and won for responsible government in Nova Scotia."