After being an unsuccessful candidate in the 1875 provincial election, he represented New Westminster in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1878 to 1882.
He was born in Glengarry County, Ontario, the son of John McGillivray and Catherine Urquhart, was educated there and then moved with his family to New York City.
In 1860, McGillivray came to British Columbia and worked for a time at the Puget Mill company in Port Gamble, Washington.
McGillivray then sold his operation to the Western Union Telegraph Company.
This article about a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is a stub.