Alexander MacRae

Alexander MacRae
Born 1888
Kishorn, Scotland
Died November 30, 1938(1938-11-30) (aged 49–50)
Australia
Nationality Scottish
Occupation
Known for Founder of Speedo
Spouse(s) Martha MacRae
Children 6
Parent(s)
  • Murdo MacRae
  • Mary

Alexander MacRae (1888 – 30 November 1938) was a sports entrepreneur and clothing manufacturer. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to Australia where, in 1914, he founded the company that became the swimwear giant Speedo.

Biography

Early life

MacRae was born in Scotland to Mary and Murdo MacRae. His father, Murdo MacRae, was a fisherman in the north Western part or Scotland near the Kyle of Lochalsh. He married Mary at the Kyle of Loch Alsh train station. In 1910, Alexander immigrated to Australia.

Career

It was in 1914 that he founded the hosiery company MacRae Knitting Mills in Regent St, Sydney, Australia.[1] In 1918, the company moved into a larger factory in Camperdown. The company was growing quickly, which required more space to manufacture what was becoming an icon of Australia. In 1928, a competition was held to see who could come up with a new name for the business. The name 'Speedo' was born and it is the company's name to this day.[2] Later, he flew to America and set the business up there.[3]

Personal life

He married Martha MacRae. They had five sons and a daughter: Alisdair, William, James, Ronald, Duncan, and Jean. All of their sons became directors of Speedo. MacRae died on November 30, 1938, aged 50.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "PEOPLE: ALEXANDER MACRAE - SPEEDO". The Daily Mail in Scotland. 29 July 2006. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE: SPEEDO KNITTING MILLS PTY LIMITED". http://www.willoughbydhs.org.au. Retrieved 8 September 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ↑ "PEOPLE: ALEXANDER MACRAE - SPEEDO". The Daily Mail in Scotland. 29 July 2006. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "People: Alexander MacRae - Speedo". www.clan-macrae.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-06-13.


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