MacNab, Sir Allan Napier National Historic Person

Hamilton, Ontario
Portrait of Sir Allan Napier Macnab. This portrait was likely done in 1849 when MacNab visited England. (© Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, accession no 1990-313-1)
Portrait
(© Library and Archives Canada | Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, accession no 1990-313-1)
Address : 610 York Boulevard, Dundurn Castle National Historic Site of Canada, Hamilton, Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 1937-05-20
Life Date: 1798 to 1862

Other Name(s):
  • MacNab, Sir Allan Napier  (Designation Name)

Importance: Jurist and legislator, Premier (1854-56)

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque:  610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, Ontario

Politician, businessman, land speculator and soldier, Allan MacNab enjoyed a very public life. He was a successful lawyer and was appointed Upper Canada's first Queen's Counsel. In 1838 he was knighted for his role in suppressing the rebellion in Upper Canada. The profits from his extensive land speculation were fed into a variety of projects, including construction of his monument, Dundurn. He was influential in establishing the Gore Bank and in promoting the Great Western Railway. During a political career spanning three decades, he was three times Speaker and, from 1854 to 1856, Premier.