Andrew Archibald Macdonald

Who was Andrew Archibald Macdonald?

Andrew Archibald Macdonald, PC, served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island from 1 August 1884 to 2 September 1889, and was one of the fathers of Canadian Confederation.

Born in Three Rivers, Prince Edward Island, Andrew Archibald Macdonald was descended from the Clanronald branch of the Macdonalds of the Isles, the son of Hugh and Catherine Macdonald of Panmure and grandson of Andrew Macdonald who had purchased a large tract of land in the province and, with his family and retainers, emigrated in 1806 from Inverness-shire, Scotland to settled at Three Rivers, where he and his sons carried on an extensive mercantile business for many years. He was educated at a county grammar school and by private tutor and also became a merchant and shipowner. In 1863, he married Elizabeth, the third daughter of Hon. Thomas Owen and they had four sons.

He was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1853 to 1858. He sat as representative for Georgetown in the House of Assembly from 1854 until 1870.