Alexander Thomson of Banchory


Alexander Thomson of Banchory FRSE 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, and his wife, Helen Hamilton. 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.
He passed the Scottish bar as an advocate and began practising from his home at 10 Northumberland Street in Edinburgh's Second New Town.
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.
In 1826 he returned to Aberdeen as Dean of the Faculty of Law.
He died on 20 May 1868. He is buried in the graveyard of St Devenicks-on-the-Hill in Banchory.
He bequeathed over 1600 books and 6000 pamphlets to the Free Church College in Aberdeen. These are now held by Aberdeen University.
His memoirs were collected and published by Rev George Smeaton in 1869.

Publications

His photographic portrait, by Hill & Adamson, is held by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Family

In 1825 he married Jessie Fraser.