Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,[2] on July 20, 1880, he lived in his mother's hometown of Richmond, Virginia, from 1882 to 1904.
He earned his Master of Arts (MA) degree there in 1905,[3] writing his master's thesis on "Constitutional development in Virginia, 1776–1850"[4] and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1907,[5] writing his thesis on "De Witt Clinton and the origin of the spoils system in New York.
[5] He was special advisor to the government of Gerardo Machado in Cuba and helped draft new electoral laws there.
In 1929, McBain succeeded George B. Pegram as Dean of Graduate Studies, but he suffered a sudden fatal heart attack on May 7, 1936.
"[9] He also wrote, "The Constitution of the United States was not handed down on Mount Sinai by the Lord God of Hosts.