He was born 8 February 1835 in Canard, Nova Scotia, to Thomas Woodworth Rand, deacon of First Cornwallis Baptist Church, and Eliza Irene Barnaby.

Upon graduation, Rand became Professor of Classics at the Provincial Normal School in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Working at a normal school, which was charged with training future teachers, Rand soon developed an interest in education policy.

He began to advocate common schools for Nova Scotia and produced writings and lectures on the topic.

Rand left the world of public education in 1883, when he became Professor of History and Didactics at Acadia College.