Family

Only son of James McNab

James McNab

James McNab was the first settler in Norval, Ontario.McNab was a Lieutenant at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812.McNab was not an United Empire Loyalist, since they were veterans of the American Revolution, but as a veteran of the war of 1812, he was similarly entitled to a...

 (1810-1878), curator of the Royal Botanic Garden

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Originally founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies four sites across Scotland — Edinburgh,...

, Edinburgh, a position previously held by his father, William McNab.

Career

Assistant to Professor John Hutton Balfour

John Hutton Balfour

John Hutton Balfour was a Scottish botanist. Balfour became a Professor of Botany, first at the University of Glasgow in 1841, moving to Edinburgh University and also becoming Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Her Majesty's Botanist in Scotland in 1845...

 at Edinburgh, McNab studied in Germany before graduating MD at Edinburgh University (1866). He was appointed professor of natural history at the Royal Agricultural College

Royal Agricultural College

The Royal Agricultural College is a higher education institution located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Established in 1845, it was the first agricultural college in the English speaking world...

, Cirencester in 1870. In 1871 he introduced Sacha’s facts and methods to English students.

Appointed to the chair of botany in the Royal College of Science

Royal College of Science for Ireland

The Royal College of Science for Ireland was created as a result of a decision of HM Treasury in 1865 to merge a number of science-oriented education bodies including the Museum of Irish Industry and Government School of Science applied to Mining and the Arts. It was originally based at 51 St...

, Dublin March 1872 (-89). Appointed scientific superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin

Glasnevin

Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...

, Dublin. He was Swiney lecturer on geology at the British Museum

British Museum

The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...

.