ALLAN MACNAB

(Redirected from Allan Napier MacNab)


'Sir Allan Napier MacNab' (Born Niagara 19 February 1798 – Dundurn Castle 8 August 1862) was a Canadian political leader and Premier of the Province of Canada (1854-1856).
Allan Napier MacNab was born in Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake,) Canada on February 19th 1798. His parents were Allan MacNab, lieutenant in the 71st Regiment{Highland Light Infantry} and the Queen’s Rangers under Lt-Col. John Graves Simcoe, and Anne Napier, daughter of the commissioner of the port and harbour of Quebec. After the Queen’s Rangers was disbanded the family moved around the country in search of work and eventually settled in York (Toronto) where MacNab was educated at the Home District Grammar School.
As a fourteen year old boy he fought in the War of 1812. MacNab's 'castle' home makes a grand statement Paul Dalby
In 1826 he moved from York (Toronto) to Hamilton, Ontario where he established a successful law office, though it was chiefly through land speculation that he made his fortune. In 1830 he was elected to represented the city in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, a position he held for some 27 years.Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875); Thomas Melville Bailey (W.L. Griffin Ltd), 1981, Page 143
As a member of the legislature he opposed the reform movement in Upper Canada led by William Lyon Mackenzie. When Mackenzie led the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, MacNab was part of the British militia that moved against Mackenzie at Montgomery's Tavern in Toronto on December 7, dispersing Mackenzie's rebels in less than an hour.
MacNab then led a militia of his own against the rebels marching towards Toronto from London, led by Charles Duncombe. Duncombe's men also dispersed when they learned MacNab was waiting for them. In 1838 he was knighted for his zeal in suppressing the rebellion. He served in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, leading the province from 1854 to 1856. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1860 representing Western division and served until his death.
A successful entrepreneur as well as politician, MacNab, with Glasgow merchant Peter Buchanan, was responsible for the construction of the Great Western Railway.
MacNab was married twice, first to Elizabeth Brooke, who died 5 November 1826, possibly of complications following childbirth. Together they had two children. His second marriage to Mary Stuart also ended in tragedy when she died 8 May 1846 of a longstanding illness, likely tuberculosis, they had two daughters.
His stately 72 room home in Hamilton, Dundurn Castle, is now open to the public. Hamilton's MacNab Street is named after him. Sir Allan is a direct ancestor of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Contents

Tribute

References

External links

Tribute

MacNab Street and ''Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School'' in Hamilton, Ontario were both named after him. Footsteps In Time: Exploring Hamilton's heritage neighbourhoods, , Bill, Manson, North Shore Publishing Inc, 2003, ISBN 1-896899-22-6

References

★ Donald R. Beer, ''Sir Allan Napier MacNab'' (Hamilton, Ontario, 1984)

External links

★ Biography at the ''Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online''