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
  1. Thomson grave, St Devenicks churchyard, Banchory
  2. "Papers of Alexander Thomson, of Banchory - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1822
  4. 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.
  5. "Archives and Manuscripts - Special Collections - University of Aberdeen". calms.abdn.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  6. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136986242/alexander-thomson
  7. "Papers of Alexander Thomson, of Banchory - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  8. Smeaton, George (1869). Memoir of Alexander Thomson of Banchory. Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas.
  9. "Alexander Thomson, 1798 - 1868. Of Banchory; leading Free Church man [b]". National Galleries of Scotland. Retrieved 4 February 2019.


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