Dictionary of Indian Biography/Alexander, Sir James Edward
ALEXANDER, SIR JAMES EDWARD (1803–1885)
Born Oct. 16, 1803 : son of Edward Alexander, of Powis : educated at Edinburgh, Glasgow and the R.M.C., Sand-hurst : to Madras as a cadet in 1820 : Adjutant of the bodyguard to Sir Thomas Munro, and served in the Burmese war of 1824 : left the E. I. Co.'s army in 1825, but saw much active service, with the Persian army, in the Balkans, Portugal, S. Africa, Canada, the Crimea, New Zealand : employed on Government expeditions in exploring and surveying in Central Africa and New Brunswick, for which he was knighted : took a leading part in the removal of 'Cleopatra's Needle' to England, 1867–77 : made C.B. in 1873, retired as Lt-General, and became General in 1881 : died April 2, 1885 : wrote Travels from India to England by way of Burma, Persia, Turkey, etc., 1827, and other works : was Knight Commander of the Lion and Sun : F.R.S. Edinburgh : F.R.G.S. : F.R.A.S. : F.S.S.A.