A descendant of five generations of Prince Edward Island Morrisons, A. L. Morrison was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 6 January 1909, where his father was working as a conductor on the railroad. After receiving his education in the U.S., in 1929 he rejoined his family who had returned to PEI. After serving in the RCAF in World War II, he settled down to farm and raise a family at Pleasant Grove. Following a serious illness in the 1950's, he became interested in both reading and writing Island history and in 1963, at the request of the local Home and School Association, completed a "History of Grand Tracadie". He also began painting and in 1980 published a volume entitled "My Island paintings", depicting Island scenes and activities as well as historical events.