Sir Alexander Grant, 1st Baronet

[1][2] On completing his apprenticeship in Forres, Grant moved to Edinburgh in 1888 taking employment as an assistant at Robert McVitie's basement bakery at 23 to 25 Queensferry Street.

[1][3] When the company expanded the business to Merchant Street and then on Robertson Avenue, as the St Andrew Biscuit Works factory, Grant was made foreman of the cake department.

[3] When Charles Edward Price retired Grant became the general manager, and on McVitie's death in 1910 he purchased a controlling interest in the business.

[2][3] In 1914 Grant opened a third factory in Manchester which went on to supply the government with iron ration biscuits for the army.

[2][6][7][8][9] He made many donations for developments in his home town of Forres including gifting four windows for the baptistry of Forres Parish Church, designed by Scottish stained glass window artist Douglas Strachan, a new motorised fire engine, and the town's park, Grant Park, named in his honour.

[16] He one was of the main contributors towards the financing of National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle,[6] and gave the Palace of Holyrood a 4,000 piece silver banqueting service, linen, cutlery and glassware estimated at a cost of £10,000.

[2][7] One of his anonymous donations, revealed in Lord Macmillan's eulogy for him, was his support of the publication of Sir Walter Scott's letters.

[2][7][19][20] After receiving his baronetcy, Grant purchased the 1,500 acres (610 ha) Logie Estate near Dunphail, on the River Findhorn.

After attending the coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 12 May 1937 Grant fell ill with a chill which developed in to pneumonia.