Alexander Trotter (physician)
Alexander Trotter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1835 |
| Died | May 25, 1901 (aged 66) |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, author |
| Notable work | East Galloway Sketches |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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.[1]
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.[2]
Work in Blyth
[edit]Trotter later established a medical practice in Blyth, Northumberland, where he was also a shipowner and newspaper proprietor.[3] 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.[4]
Literary contributions
[edit]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.[1]
Death and legacy
[edit]Trotter died unexpectedly on 25 May 1901.[3] He was remembered for his contributions both to medicine and to the preservation of local history in Galloway and Blyth.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Watt, Julia Muir (2000). "Alexander Trotter". Dumfries and Galloway: a literary guide. Dumfries: Dumfries and Galloway Libraries, Information and Archives. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-946280-46-9.
- ^ Watt, Julia Muir (2000). "Alexander Trotter". Dumfries and Galloway: a literary guide. Dumfries: Dumfries and Galloway Libraries, Information and Archives. pp. 232–233. ISBN 978-0-946280-46-9.
- ^ a b "The Late Dr Trotter of Dalshangan". The Scotsman. 28 May 1901. p. 4.
- ^ "Death of Dr Alexander Trotter". Shields Daily Gazette. 27 May 1901. p. 4.