Alex Grant

Born in rural Canada, Alex Grant attended the St. Mary’s Collegiate Institute at Toronto University, and then matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania. Although a Canadian citizen in 1900, he represented an American university, and is considered a US athlete at the 1900 and 1904 Olympics.

After graduating from Penn in 1900, Grant dominated American distance running, winning AAU titles in the mile from 1901-1903, the 2-miles in 1903-1904, and the 5-miles in 1899. Having studied European history at Penn, Alexander Grant became a history teacher at the Berkley School in New York, Detroit University, the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and then from 1914 on, at Episcopal Academy. In 1903 Grant joined with fellow Olympians Josiah McCracken and George Orton to found Camp Tecumseh on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. He remained president of the Camp until his death, and his ashes were spread over the campgrounds.