Alexander Keith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the brewer. For the Minnesota politician, see Alexander M. Keith.
- For the mass murderer, see Alexander Keith, Jr..
Alexander Keith (October 5, 1795 – December 14, 1873) born in Halkirk, Caithness, Highland, Scotland, he immigrated to Canada in 1817 and founded the Alexander Keith's brewing company in 1820. Known as a brewmaster in Scotland, he worked hard after his arrival to perfect his own ale. The beer he created was an India Pale Ale; specially designed to stay fresh on long trips from Halifax to British troops serving in India. Today this distinguished brew is still widely enjoyed by Canadians, especially in its native Nova Scotia. He served as mayor of Halifax, Nova Scotia three times, and as a member of the Legislative Assembly for 30 years. He died in Halifax.
He has often been confused with his nephew, Alexander Keith, Jr. (nicknamed "Sandy") who was a notorious Confederate agent during the American Civil War.
Throughout his career Keith was connected with several charitable and fraternal societies. He served as president of the North British Society from 1831 and as chief of the Highland Society from 1868 until his death. In 1838 he was connected with the Halifax Mechanics Library and in the early 1840s with the Nova Scotia Auxiliary Colonial Society. Keith was perhaps best known to the Halifax public as a leader of the freemasons. He became provincial grand master for the Maritimes under the English authority in 1840 and under the Scottish lodge in 1845. Following a reorganization of the various divisions in 1869, he became grand master of Nova Scotia.
Alexander Keith is buried at Camp Hill Cemetery across from the Halifax Public Gardens. His birthday attracts a number of devout followers, who on October 5th of each year, place cards, flowers, and bottles of beer by his gravesite.
