Overview of (Alexander) Marshall Mackenzie

Architect. Born in Elgin (Moray), the son of Thomas Mackenzie (1814-54), also an architect but who died when the younger Mackenzie was just six years of age. He was educated at Elgin Academy and trained as an architect in the Aberdeen office of James Matthews (1819-98; who had been his father's partner), before following his brother to Edinburgh where be gained employment with David Bryce (1803-76). In 1877, Mackenzie returned to Aberdeen and formed a partnership with James Matthew, becoming the sole partner on Matthew's retirement in 1893.

The mainstay of the practice was building houses, schools and churches in NE Scotland, including St. Drostan's Episcopal Church at Tarfside (1878), Pitsligo Parish Church at Peathill (1889) and a number of war memorials in the early 1920s.

However, Mackenzie was also responsible for several important buildings, including Aberdeen Art Gallery (1883), the Head Office of the Northern Assurance Company in Aberdeen (1883) and Gray's School of Art (1884). He rebuilt Mar Lodge for the Duke and Duchess of Fife in 1895, rebuilt Marischal College (1891 - 1902), built Crathie Church for the Royal family (1893), worked on Balmoral Castle (1911) and designed the memorial to King Edward VII in Crathie Kirk around the same time. He was also responsible for the restoration of St. Machar's Cathedral in 1926.

Mackenzie opened a London office in 1903, run by his eldest son A.G.R. Mackenzie (1879 - 1963) but actively supervised by Mackenzie himself. Notable London buildings included the Waldorf Hotel (1903) and Australia House (1913-18).

Mackenzie was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Aberdeen in 1906 and remained actively involved in his business until a week before his death.