Alexander Fraser (died 1623)

Sir
Alexander Fraser
of Philorth
Patron stone to Alexander Fraser of Philorth, old Rathen church
Born1537?
Died12 April 1623
Occupation(s)Noble, Landowner
Title9th Laird of Philorth
Spouses
  • Magdalen Ogilvie
  • Elizabeth Maxwell (1606-)
Children
  • Alexander Fraser of Philorth
  • Margaret Fraser

Alexander Fraser of Philorth (died 1623) was a Scottish landowner and founder of Fraserburgh.

Alexander Fraser's castle at Kinnaird Head was converted into a lighthouse in 1787

He was the eldest son of Alexander Fraser (died 1564) younger of Philorth and Beatrix Keith, a sister of William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal. Their home at Philorth is now known as Cairnbulg Castle.

In March 1570 he started building a tower at Kinnaird Head and a church nearby.[1] He continued to develop the harbour at Faithlie, the modern Fraserburgh, and commenced building a new harbour in 1576.[2] In 1592 he obtained a charter to found a college or university, which was confirmed in 1597, resulting in the short-lived Fraserburgh University, which closed in 1605.[3][4]

James VI wrote to him in April 1589 asking for money to advance his projected marriage with Anne of Denmark.[5] He was knighted at the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle on 30 August 1594. Fellow knights, including John Boswell of Balmuto had also contributed to the funds for the royal wedding.[6]

Most sources attest that he died on the 12th of April 1623, though some state July 1623.[3]

There is a portrait of him depicted around the year 1597, including a small dog. The National Museum of Scotland has a pair of small miniatures of Alexander Fraser and his wife Magdalen Ogilvie. These were probably originally set within lockets of gold enamel work like similar Scottish examples.[7]

  1. ^ Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 152.
  2. ^ Keith Brown, Noble Society in Scotland: Wealth, Family, and Culture from the Reformation to the Revolution (Edinburgh, 2000), pp. 50, 99.
  3. ^ a b Wells, R. P. (2004-09-23). Fraser, Sir Alexander, of Philorth (1537?–1623), founder of Fraserburgh. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press.
  4. ^ Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 154.
  5. ^ Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 158.
  6. ^ Thomas Rymer, Foedera, vol. 16 (London, 1715), p. 263: Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 11 (Edinburgh, 1936), p. 412: William Fowler, A True Reportarie (Edinburgh, 1594).
  7. ^ Rosalind Marshall & George Dalgleish, The Art of Jewellery in Scotland (Edinburgh, 1991), p. 19.