Alexander Thomson of Banchory
Alexander Thomson of Banchory FRSE (1798–1868) was a 19th-century Scottish advocate, agriculturalist, antiquary, philanthropist and traveller.
Life[]
He was born on 21 June 1798, the son of Andrew Thomson of Banchory (1774-1806), and his wife, Helen Hamilton (1774-1851).[1] He studied Law at Marischal College in Aberdeen graduating in 1816
From 1818 to 1863 he travelled extensively in Europe and kept a diary of his travels.[2]
He passed the Scottish bar as an advocate and began practising from his home at 10 Northumberland Street in Edinburgh's Second New Town.[3]
In 1823 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposer was Sir William Hamilton, 9th Baronet. In 1855 Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD).[4]
In 1826 he returned to Aberdeen as Dean of the Faculty of Law.[5]
He died on 20 May 1868. He is buried in the graveyard of St Devenicks-on-the-Hill in Banchory.[6]
He bequeathed over 1600 books and 6000 pamphlets to the Free Church College in Aberdeen. These are now held by Aberdeen University.[7]
His memoirs were collected and published by Rev George Smeaton in 1869.[8]
Publications[]
- On the Settlement of Crofters
- On the Cultivation of Chicory and Flax in Belgium
Artistic recognition[]
His photographic portrait, by Hill & Adamson, is held by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.[9]
Family[]
In 1825 he married Jessie Fraser (1799-1870).
References[]
- ^ Thomson grave, St Devenicks churchyard, Banchory
- ^ "Papers of Alexander Thomson, of Banchory - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1822
- ^ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ^ "Archives and Manuscripts - Special Collections - University of Aberdeen". calms.abdn.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Alexander Thomson (1798-1868) - Find a Grave". Find a Grave.
- ^ "Papers of Alexander Thomson, of Banchory - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ Smeaton, George (1869). Memoir of Alexander Thomson of Banchory. Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas.
- ^ "Alexander Thomson, 1798 - 1868. Of Banchory; leading Free Church man [b]". National Galleries of Scotland. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
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- 1798 births
- 1868 deaths
- Alumni of the University of Aberdeen
- Scottish lawyers
- Scottish philanthropists
- Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- 19th-century British philanthropists
- Scottish people stubs