From 1888 to 1949, the head of McMaster was given the title Chancellor. In 1949, George P. Gilmour became both President and Chancellor, and in 1950 his title changed to President and Vice-Chancellor. From that time onward, the University had both a Chancellor as well as a President and Vice-Chancellor.

Chancellors

1888-1890       Malcolm MacVicar
1890-1892*  
1892-1895       Theodore Harding Rand
1895-1905       Rev. Oates C.S. Wallace
1905-1911       Alexander C. McKay
1911-1922       Abraham L. McCrimmon
1922-1941       Howard P. Whidden
1941-1949       George P. Gilmour
1949-1950       George P. Gilmour (President and Chancellor)
1950-1955       E. Carey Fox
1955-1960       Roy L. Kellock
1960-1965       Charles P. Fell
1965-1971       D. Argue C. Martin
1971-1977       Lawrence T. Pennell
1977-1986       H. Allan B. Leal
1986-1992       John H. Panabaker
1992-1998       James H. Taylor
1998-2007       Melvin M. Hawkrigg
2007- present   Lynton R. Wilson

* In the interval between the retirement of Chancellor MacVicar and the appointment of Chancellor Rand, the Faculties of Art and Theology were organized under the Chairmanship of Dr. Rand and Dr. Goodspeed, respectively.

Presidents and Vice-Chancellors

1950-1961       George P. Gilmour
1961-1972       Henry G. Thode
1972-1980       Arthur N. Bourns
1980-1990       Alvin A. Lee
1990-1995       Geraldine A. Kenney-Wallace
1995-2010       Peter J. George
2010-present    Patrick Deane