Born in Springville, Nova Scotia. He worked as a mining engineer. In 1892 he leased the Gold Bug Mine in Arizona. In 1894 he worked a mine in Aspen, Colorado. Married Leslie Hayden June 14, 1894. He was assistant manager of the Portland Gold Mining Company in Colorado. He was also assistant manager of the W. S. Stratton Independent Mine. In 1904 he was manager of the Cosmopolitan Mine. From 1917 to 1921 he was an engineer for the Colorado Pure Lead Corporation.

President Harding appointed Grant Superintendent of the Denver Mint in 1921. He was appointed Director of the Mint by President Coolidge and served November 1923 to May 1933. He was in office when the government took over control of the export of gold.

After his term, he became an advisor for the Chinese Mint in Shanghai.

He died in Pasadena, California.

Grant appears on a mint medal (USM 315) as one of a series for Directors of the Mint. Dies were by John Ray Sinnock.

bio: Failor; NCAB 39; WWWA-2