Alexander Grant McLean


Alexander Grant McLean was a Surveyor General of New South Wales,.

Early life

McLean was born in Scotland, the second son of Captain John Leyburn Maclean, principal superintendent of convicts, and his wife Jane Eliza, née Grant. He and arrived in Sydney, Australia with his family in the Earl Durham on 31 August 1837.

Career in Australia

On 11 May 1842, McLean was appointed to a position on the department of the Surveyor General of New South Wales, Thomas Mitchell. McLean was appointed chief draftsman in 1856. On 12 August 1859 McLean was made acting Surveyor General by the then minister for lands, John Robertson. McLean authorized the compilation of a map of New South Wales ; his work facilitated the introduction of the Robertson Land Acts. McLean was appointed Surveyor General on 1 November 1861.

Late life

McLean suffered from Bright's disease, taking medical leave in August 1862. However, his condition worsened and he died on 28 September 1862 in Mulgoa, New South Wales, Australia.

Named in his honour

The district of Maclean in Queensland was named after him; today this is two localities, North Maclean and South Maclean.