Malcolm McRae: Difference between revisions
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McRae was one of four children born to [[Francis McRae|Francis]] and [[Jane McRae|Jane Hewitt McCarty McRae]]. His father was an employee of [[Stockham Valve & Fitting Co.]] and his mother was an aviator and school librarian. | McRae was one of four children born to [[Francis McRae|Francis]] and [[Jane McRae|Jane Hewitt McCarty McRae]]. His father was an employee of [[Stockham Valve & Fitting Co.]] and his mother was an aviator and school librarian. | ||
McRae became interested in art and | McRae became interested in art and antiquities. He studied anthropology and developed a specialty in Pre-Columbian art. At his gallery, he showcased such works alongside fine art and antiques, as well as contemporary artist-made jewelry. | ||
McRae went missing in late February [[1983]], last seen in the parking lot outside his business. His body was found on [[April 17]] in a wooded area near the [[Cahaba River]] in [[Helena]]. He [[List of homicides in 1983|died]] from a shotgun blast to the face. | McRae went missing in late February [[1983]], last seen in the parking lot outside his business. His body was found on [[April 17]] in a wooded area near the [[Cahaba River]] in [[Helena]]. He [[List of homicides in 1983|died]] from a shotgun blast to the face. | ||
Revision as of 15:27, 31 May 2021
Malcolm Maury McRae (born August 3, 1952; died February 27, 1983) was the proprietor of the Signature House art and antique gallery in the former Haskins Williams residence at 1312 20th Street South in Five Points South.
McRae was one of four children born to Francis and Jane Hewitt McCarty McRae. His father was an employee of Stockham Valve & Fitting Co. and his mother was an aviator and school librarian.
McRae became interested in art and antiquities. He studied anthropology and developed a specialty in Pre-Columbian art. At his gallery, he showcased such works alongside fine art and antiques, as well as contemporary artist-made jewelry.
McRae went missing in late February 1983, last seen in the parking lot outside his business. His body was found on April 17 in a wooded area near the Cahaba River in Helena. He died from a shotgun blast to the face.
Former Birmingham firefighter Gerald Wayne Lawley, a friend of McRae's, was arrested and charged with his murder. Lawley first claimed that he had accidentally shot McRae while aiming at a tossed wine bottle, but no such bottle was recovered from the scene. He pleaded guilty on April 9, 1984 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. McRae's mother supported Lawley's petition for parole, which he was granted after eight years.
McRae is buried in a family plot at Wilson Chapel Cemetery. His mother had proposed dedicating a public garden in front of their church, Highlands Methodist Church at Five Points Circle, in his memory. With the encouragement of Cecil Roberts and Mayor Richard Arrington (and his assistant Anne Adams), that idea blossomed into a public commission for a sculptural fountain. Frank Fleming was awarded the commission which became the landmark "Storyteller fountain". As conceived, the central figure in the sculpture represents McRae. Fleming initially proposed a man with the head of a lion, but later changed it to a ram.
References
- "Homewood man held in art dealer's death." (April 30, 1983) Associated Press/Gadsden Times
External links
- Malcolm Maury McRae at Findagrave.com