MacVicar, Donald Norman, 1869-1929

Donald Norman MacVicar was born on August 17, 1869, in Montreal, Quebec.

He was an important architect active in Montreal. He does not appear to have obtained any formal university education in architecture. Much of his experience was gained by working under the direct supervision of Sir Andrew T. Taylor (Taylor & Gordon), a leading architect in Montreal during the last two decades of the 19th century. MacVicar joined Taylor’s office in 1888 and remained there until at least 1893, then traveled in Europe before returning to Montreal. In 1894, he was invited by David R. Brown, a talented young architect, to form a new partnership. They were joined by a new partner, John C.A. Heriot, in 1896, but Brown left to create his own firm in 1898, and MacVicar & Heriot launched their own office which was to become both successful and prosperous. More than one hundred institutional, commercial, and residential works were completed by the firm during the next twenty years. After the unexpected death of Heriot in July 1921, MacVicar continued to practise on his own, but he retained the joint name of his firm. In 1920, he served as President of the Province of Quebec Association of Architects.

In 1907, he married Mary Louise Butler. He died on March 26, 1929, in Montreal, Quebec.