Woart Bailey was introduced to scientific circles by his father, first professor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology at the United States Military Academy in West Point. Eminent American and European

and Loring Woart Bailey, both of whom published notable papers on the climatic and historical contexts of

. Throughout his life MacKay continued his scientific studies, and his work on the flora and fauna of his own province, especially lichens, diatoms (plankton), where he collaborated with Loring Woart

. Soon after, Matthew’s friend Professor Loring Woart Bailey of the University of New Brunswick began