Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Abercromby, Alexander (1745-1795)
ABERCROMBY, ALEXANDER (1745–1795), Scotch judge and essayist, fourth and youngest son of George Abercromby, of Tullibody, in Clackmannanshire, was born on 15 Oct. 1745. Two of his brothers entered the army, one of them becoming the celebrated general Sir Ralph Abercromby. Alexander studied at the university of Edinburgh, where he seems to have been chiefly distinguished for his handsome person and engaging disposition. He was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1766, and was soon afterwards appointed sheriff-depute of his native county. Personal residence, however, not being required, he continued the practice of his profession at the bar. In 1780 he resigned his sheriffship and was appointed one of the advocates-depute by Henry Dundas, then lord-advocate of Scotland, and acquired a good practice. He also helped Henry Mackenzie, the author of the ‘Man of Feeling,’ to start the ‘Mirror,’ published at Edinburgh in 1779, and contributed to the ‘Lounger’ in 1785 and 1786. Abercromby's papers show much correctness of style and tenderness of expression. In 1792 he took his seat on the bench of the Court of Session under the judicial title of Lord Abercromby, and a few months afterwards was appointed one of the lords commissioners of justiciary. On 17 Nov. 1795, he died of pulmonary disease at Exmouth. Lord Abercromby's known contributions to literature consist of ten papers in the ‘Mirror’ and nine in the ‘Lounger.’
[Notice of Lord Abercromby by Henry Mackenzie in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. iv. part 1, app. I.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.1
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 38 | ii | 29 | Abercromby, Alexander (1745-1795): after Alexander insert Lord Abercromby |
| 5 f.e. | omit courtesy |