Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander McKee
Designation:  
Born: 24 November 1872
Died: 3 April 1927
Bio Notes: Alexander McKee was born in Glasgow in 1872, the son of Henry McKee, pocket book and jewel case maker, and Elizabeth Douglas. From 1887 McKee served his articles in the office of Howie & Walton. On completion of his articles he moved as assistant to the office of Clarke & Bell probably about 1892. In 1897 he was working as a draughtsman with the Falkirk practice A & W Black. That year he applied for the position of architectural draughtsman with Paisley Burgh. He declared that he was 'intimately acquainted with all the details of Design, Building Construction, Sanitation, Levelling and Surveying'. It is not yet clear if he secured this post. However his references were all very positive. Howie stated that he was 'a diligent student and careful assistant' while George Bell reccomended him 'as diligent, courteous and trustworthy'. The architect William Fraser had known M'Kee for many years and stated that he had 'always been careful, conscientious and able'.

He departed from Liverpool for Sydney in April 1908 and before the end of the year was in Brisbane where he married Maude Elizabeth Harrison; exhibited architectural drawings with the Queensland Art Society and was employed as a temporary draftsman in the Department of Public Works. He was made permanent by the end of the year and continued to rise in the Department, being promoted to architectural draftsman in 1916 and assistant architect in 1922.

McKee was active in professional matters. He did not join the Queensland Institute of Architects but was closely involved with the formation in Brisbane of a more energetic Queensland Architectural Association in 1910. He served as President in 1912.

McKee's daughter was born in 1913 but his wife died in 1916. He himself contracted pancreatic cancer and died in April 1927.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4GlasgowPrivate/business1870s  
Item 2 of 4Kent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1891  
Item 3 of 4119, Montrose Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1901  
Item 4 of 4Brisbane, AustraliaPrivate/business1908  

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3W H Howie & H D Walton1877c. 1892Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Clarke & Bell1892 Assistant 
Item 3 of 3A & W Black1897 * Draughtsman 

* earliest date known from documented sources.


References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3Census records onlineCensuses  
Item 2 of 3Donald Watson, Queensland, AustraliaInformation by email correspondence  
Item 3 of 3Glasgow University Library, Special CollectionsLetter of application to Paisley Burgh Application & testimonials in favour of Alexander M'Kee, architecht : candidate for the post of Architecural Draughtsman

[Glasgow] : [MacLehose], [1897]