Alexander Trotter

Alexander Trotter (1835 – 25 May 1901) was a Scottish physician, author, and community leader, best known for his work in medicine and his writings on the folklore and literary history of Galloway.

Early life and family Alexander Trotter was born in 1835, the son of Robert Trotter, a physician. He had two brothers, Robert de Bruce Trotter and James Trotter, who, like Alexander, were known for documenting Galloway history and folklore.

Education and medical career Trotter began studying medicine at the University of Glasgow at the age of 19, qualifying as a surgeon and physician in 1858. He later received an MD from the University of St Andrews in 1863.

During his training, he worked as a surgeon on a whaling ship and recorded the voyage in his 1856 journal, Journal of the Voyage of the Ship Enterprise, from Fraserburgh to Greenland.

Work in Blyth Trotter later established a medical practice in Blyth, Northumberland, where he was also a shipowner and newspaper proprietor. He played an active role in local government as one of the original members of the Blyth Town Council, a member of the Board of Guardians, and a representative of Cowpen on the Northumberland County Council.

Literary contributions In 1901, shortly before his death, Trotter published East Galloway Sketches: Or, Biographical, Historical, and Descriptive Notices of Kirkcudbrightshire, Chiefly in the Nineteenth Century. The work is a valuable record of Galloway's literary and cultural history, compiling and expanding upon a series of articles originally published in The Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser.

Death and legacy Trotter died unexpectedly on 25 May 1901. He was remembered for his contributions both to medicine and to the preservation of local history in Galloway and Blyth.