ABSTRACT
Macallum, Archibald (1824-79). Canadian teacher. Born at Kill-michell, Argyll, Scotland, Macallum was about six years old when his parents, Donald and Mary, moved to East Hawkesbury in Upper Canada. Though his early schooling was slight, in 1847 he entered the Normal School at Toronto, graduating with a first class certificate. He subsequently was awarded three degrees by the University of Toronto: BA in 1864, MA in 1866 and LLB in 1877. In 1848 Macallum was appointed to a teaching post at the Model School in Toronto, and in 1853 became its master. Five years later he accepted the position of principal of the Central School in Hamilton. In 1870 he became superintendent of schools in Hamilton, being appointed inspector in the following year. He also achieved some recognition as a writer of textbooks. The Synopsis of Natural History was published in 1857, An Eclectic Grammar in 1867, and a Manual of Dates with Brief Notes, in Canadian, English, Ancient and Modern History in 1870. His best-selling work was the co-authored Literary Extracts (1878), which went through nine editions in three years. Macallum also played a prominent role in the organization of teachers. In 1861 he was a founder of the Teachers’ Association of Canada West, and served as vice-president until 1865. He encouraged female membership of the association and was an opponent of educational discrimination on grounds of sex or race. He served on the board of the Wesleyan Female College, was active in the work of the Centenary Church in Hamilton, and was one of only two Canadian members of the International Sunday School Lesson Committee. He also served on the boards of several commercial companies, and was president of the St. Andrews Society. He was a member of the Masonic Order. See his own publications and the entry by Freda F. Waldon in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. X.
