[2][3] Alexander Wiseman MacAra was born on 4 May 1932 in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland.
When he was six years old, MacAra was treated for paratyphoid fever, acute appendicitis and whooping cough.
[6] From 1993 to 1998 MacAra was the chair of the ruling council of British Medical Association (BMA).
He was consultant to the World Health Organisation (for over 20 years ), and he was president of the National Heart Forum.
[7] MacAra was married to Sylvia and they had two children, a daughter, Alexandra, and a son, James.