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Archibald McLelan

1824 – 1890

Canadian politician

Politician Timber merchantShipbuilder
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About Archibald McLelan

Lived 1824 – 1890 (aged 65). Archibald McLelan was a Canadian politician, timber merchant and shipbuilder.

Archibald Woodbury McLelan (20 December 1824 – 26 June 1890) was a Canadian shipbuilder and politician, the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

McLelan was born in Londonderry, Nova Scotia, the son of member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly member Gloud Wilson McLelan. Archibald McLelan was educated in Great Village and joined his father's shipping and retail business. On his father's death in 1858 he succeeded him in the House of Assembly.

Strongly opposed to confederation with Canada, McLelan was elected as the first federal member of parliament for Colchester as an Anti-Confederate.

He reconciled himself to Confederation and was summoned to the Senate of Canada in 1869 where he sat as a Liberal-Conservative.

He resigned from the Upper House to run again for the House of Commons of Canada in an 1881 by-election and was returned to parliament as a Conservative.

McLelan served from 10 December 1885–26 January 1887 as the Minister of Finance in the second administration of Sir John A. Macdonald.

In 1842, he married Caroline Metzler. McLelan died in Halifax at the age of 65.

Electoral record

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Mount Allison University
Positions held
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Minister of Finance, Member of the House of Commons of Canada, Member of the Senate of Canada
Also known as
Archibald Woodbury McLelan

People in Archibald McLelan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Archibald McLelan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Archibald McLelan?

Canadian politician (1824-1890)

When was Archibald McLelan born?

Archibald McLelan was born on 20 December 1824 in Londonderry.

When did Archibald McLelan die?

Archibald McLelan died on 26 June 1890 in Halifax.

What was Archibald McLelan's occupation?

Archibald McLelan was a politician, timber merchant and shipbuilder.

What nationality was Archibald McLelan?

Archibald McLelan was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Archibald McLelan

· Wikidata: Q633347

· DBpedia: Archibald McLelan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Archibald McLelan. https://biography.guide/archibald-mclelan/

MLA: "Archibald McLelan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/archibald-mclelan/.

Chicago: "Archibald McLelan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/archibald-mclelan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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