John Carruthers was a Scottish immigrant who became a prominent member of the Kingston business community. He was a generous supporter of both Queen’s University and Chalmers Church, and his contributions to the university were recognized in the naming of Carruthers' Hall at Queen’s. His son John Bell was instrumental in establishing the precursor to the current Faculty of Engineering and Applied science at the University.

Carruthers' monument sits on a Limestone base that was restored recently by Edgewater. The perimeter stonework was repointed, and two damaged corner stones were replaced with matching Kingston Limestone.