Alexander Duncan McRae was born on November 17, 1874, to Duncan Alexander and Mary (Mahwhinney) McRae on a farm just outside Glencoe, Ontario. From these humble beginnings, he would go on to forge a remarkable career in business, military service, and politics, leaving an enduring mark on Canada.
As a young man, McRae moved to Minnesota to work alongside his cousins, Andrew and Alexander Davidson. There, he began to build his fortune, first in the insurance and banking sectors and later through shrewd land speculation in Saskatchewan. His keen business sense would be a hallmark of his entire career.
On February 23, 1900, McRae married Blaunche Latimer Howe, the daughter of a wealthy Pennsylvania forest industrialist. The couple would have three daughters: Blanche, Lucille, and Margaret.
In 1907, McRae relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he became deeply involved in the fishing and lumber industries. By 1912, he had risen to the presidency of several companies and volunteered with the Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles, holding the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colonel.
At the outbreak of the First World War, McRae traveled to Europe with a critical mission: to purchase horses for the Canadian army. Tasked with reorganizing the Remount Commission, he transformed a corrupt and disorganized department into an efficient, business-like operation, acquiring some 8,000 horses to support the war effort.
Despite his success, McRae faced scrutiny over the conduct of these acquisitions. A Royal Commission, led by Quebec Chief Justice Sir Charles Peers Davidson, ultimately cleared his name and commended his exceptional performance. Promoted to Major General, McRae continued his service as Director of Supplies and Services. In 1917, he was appointed a member of the Order of the Bath. Later, he assisted Britain’s Minister of Information, Lord Beaverbrook, in organizing the Ministry of Information—a role for which he was reportedly offered, but declined, a knighthood.
After the war, McRae turned his attention to politics in British Columbia. He helped organize the Committee of 100 and later the Provincial Party of British Columbia, advocating against corruption in both the Conservative and Liberal parties. Though his party ran only in the 1924 election, and McRae himself was not elected, he would later reconcile with the Conservative Party.
In 1926, McRae won a seat in the House of Commons representing Vancouver North. The following year, he orchestrated the first modern leadership campaign for the party, helping to elect R.B. Bennett as Canada’s 11th Prime Minister. Bennett subsequently appointed McRae to the Senate, where he served until his death.
During the 1930s, McRae traveled extensively in Europe and foresaw the likelihood of another major conflict. After the death of his wife in 1942, he donated Hycroft House in Vancouver to serve as a hospital for wounded veterans, a testament to his enduring commitment to public service.
At the age of 71, Alexander Duncan McRae fell ill and passed away in Ottawa on June 26, 1946, leaving behind a legacy of business acumen, military service, and political leadership that shaped both British Columbia and Canada.
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