16 Facts About Alexander Findlater

Alexander Findlater was a friend and colleague of Robert Burns and his immediate superior, as Supervisor, in the Excise service.

Alexander Findlater knew the poet very well and was a great advocate for Burns after his death and in response to biographies by authors such as Robert Heron, Allan Cunningham and James Currie.

Alexander Findlater's father was James Findlater, an army officer who became an Excise officer.

Alexander Findlater's mother was Helen Ballantyne, daughter of Ronald and Janet Ballantyne.

Alexander Findlater was promoted to general Supervisor in Edinburgh in 1797 and to Collector in Glasgow in 1811, succeeding William Corbet.

Alexander Findlater retired in 1825, aged 71 after 11 years in post as Collector.

Alexander Findlater lived at North Wellington Place in Glasgow and died in 1839.

Alexander Findlater's grave was moved to the south side of Glasgow's Linn Cemetery in the 1960s following redevelopment of the Anderston area.

Alexander Findlater was granted the move however Mrs Dunlop was probably the major influencer.

Alexander Findlater greatly appreciated Burns's strenuous efforts and devotion to duty and this helped cement their friendship as well as giving him indelible insights into Burns's character.

Alexander Findlater joined the Royal Dumfries Volunteers shortly after Burns and John Syme, as did John Lewars.

Alexander Findlater was a member of the Management Committee that recommended soliciting funds for the uniforms from the public.

In 1815 he wrote a significant letter to Alexander Findlater Peterkin regarding the 1815 edition of James Currie's The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns: With Explanatory and Glossarial Notes; And a Life of the Author giving a vindication of Burns's conduct and character over the time that he was his supervisor in Dumfries.

Alexander Findlater had come to the defence of Burns's reputation in 1814 and 1834.

Alexander Findlater was one of those who occasionally sat for a time at Burns side in his final days.

Burns wrote a personal and suggestive letter to Alexander Findlater concerning Jean "Chloris" Whelpdale nee Lorimer:.