Baptist preacher and author, Alexander Maclaren (1826 – 1910) visited Australia in 1889. Recognition It is possible that McLaren Vale (or McLaren's Vale) was named for him: the time of its naming and the Manager's eminence support this argument, but the weight of opinion is for the surveyor (later deputy Surveyor-general) John McLaren (died 17 July 1885), who worked in the area. A wharf at Port Adelaide was named for him. John McDouall Stuart named McLaren Creek after John McLaren. References 1785 births 1850 deaths South Australian Company Colonial Managers Scottish people of the British Empire Scottish accountants 19th-century Australian businesspeople 19th-century British businesspeople