McLACHLAN, Alexander, poet, born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, 12 August, 1818. His father, Charles McLachlan, a mechanic and the author of verses, purchased land in Canada in 1820, which he partially cleared, but returned to Scotland and died there. The son aided in supporting the family by working in a cotton-factory, after which he became a tailor's apprentice, but devoted his leisure to study. In 1841 he removed to Canada, and in 1862 he was sent by the Canadian government to Scotland to represent the advantages of emigration. In 1874 he again visited Scotland and delivered lectures on Canadian life and literary subjects. His aim has been to ameliorate the condition of the working classes, and to be an exponent of their desires and feelings. He has also lectured in the United States and Canada, and is the author of "Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" (1855); " Lyrics " (1858) ; " The Emigrant and other Poems " (1861)" and "Poems and Songs" (1874). See " The Poets and Poetry of Scotland," edited by General James Grant Wilson (New York, 1876).