Sir Alexander Holburn, 3rd Baronet

Captain Sir Alexander Holburn, 3rd Baronet (c. 1728 – January 22, 1772)[1] (alternatively Holborne or Holburne) was a Scottish sea captain in the Royal Navy. He was the second son of the advocate Sir James Holburn, 2nd Baronet (grandson of Major General James Holborne of Menstrie) by his second wife Jean, the daughter of Alexander Spital of Leuchat. Alexander succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his father in 1758 when he was killed at sea in 1756.[2]

Sir

Alexander Holburn

Bornc.1728
Died22 January 1772
AllegianceKingdom of Great Britain
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1753–1763
RankCaptain
Commands heldHMS Polacca
HMS Lynx
HMS Repulse
Battles/warsSeven Years' War

Naval career edit

Admiral Saunders, upon leaving the Mediterranean in 1757, took with him his chaplain, his flag captain Alexander Hood, and all six of his lieutenants, among whom was Alexander Holburn. Holburn was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1763.[2]

Imprisonment edit

Before he could take command of his ship, Holburn was imprisoned for debt at the King's Bench Prison, Southwark, where he remained until shortly before his death.[2] His wife, Maria Holburn, approached the Duke of Portland in 1766, in the hope of securing for Alexander a position.[3] Holburn died childless, and the baronetcy passed to his cousin, Francis Holburn, 4th Baronet, son of Admiral Francis Holburn.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Charnock, J., Biographia Navalis, 6 vols, 1794-98
  2. ^ a b c d "A97: Captain William Holburne". Holburne Museum of Art. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  3. ^ "Part 10: Edmund, Baron de Harold - Admiral W. Hotham". Catalogue of Papers of William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. University of Nottingham. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
Baronetage of Nova Scotia
Preceded by Baronet
(of Menstrie)
1758–1772
Succeeded by