Alexander Fordyce

Alexander Dingwall Fordyce of Culsh and Brucklay (4 March 1800 – 16 July 1864) was a British naval officer and Whig politician.

Life

He was born in Aberdeen the son of William Dingwall Fordyce of Techmuiry and Culsh, and his wife, Margaret Ritchie.

At the age of 13, Fordyce entered the navy as a volunteer on board the Désirée where he was commanded by his relative, Captain Arthur Farquhar, and was actively employed at the blockade of the German rivers, and at the reduction of Cuxhaven in December 1813 and Glückstadt in January 1814. After this, he followed Farquhar on board the Liverpool, serving on this ship from 1814 to 1816, and becoming involved in the blockade of Île Bourbon. Upon his return to England, he is believed to have been almost lost off Dover, with the frigate having taken ground at the foot of Shakespeare's Cliff, only freed when masts and spars were cut away, and guns, provisions and stores were thrown overboard.

He died on 16 July 1864 and is buried with his patents in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen. The large tomb stands on the west wall.