Alexander John Scott
Alexander John Scott | |
---|---|
Born | 23 July 1768 Rotherhithe, Southark |
Died | 24 July 1840 (aged 72) Ecclesfield, Yorkshire |
Allegiance | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1793–1805 |
Rank | Chaplain |
Battles/wars | Battle of Copenhagen Battle of Trafalgar |
Alexander John Scott (1768–1840) was an
Early life
Scott was born on 23 July 1768, the son of Jane Comyn and Robert Scott, a lieutenant in the navy. He had two sisters. He was the nephew of Alexander Scott, a naval captain. Scott's father died in 1770, leading Scott to live with his uncle for the majority of his childhood. He was educated at Charterhouse, and after gaining a scholarship, he attended St John's College, Cambridge, graduating from there in 1792.[1] He was ordained in 1793 and joined the navy that year as a chaplain. He was initially assigned to HMS Berwick, which was part of the Mediterranean fleet under Admiral Samuel Hood.[2] During his education he had become fluent in French, Spanish and Italian.[2]
Meeting Nelson
Scott first met Nelson while in the Mediterranean. Nelson was at this time
West Indies
Scott was then assigned to the
Nelson and Trafalgar
Nelson arranged for Scott to be transferred to his
Scott initially went below at the start of the battle to be with the wounded as they were brought to the cockpit. He soon became overwhelmed with the sights and sounds, and began to head up to the deck for fresh air.
Men are not always themselves and put on their behaviour with their clothes, but if you live with a man on board ship for years, if you are continually with him in his cabin, your mind will soon find out how to appreciate him. I could forever tell of the qualities of this beloved man, Horatio Nelson. I have not shed a tear before the 21st October, and since whenever I am alone, I am quite like a child.[2]
Nelson had hoped that if he were to die, that
After Trafalgar
Scott lived a peaceful life after the battle although he suffered from painful illness in later life.
In 1807, the 39-year-old Scott attracted his family's displeasure by eloping to marry the 17-year-old Mary Frances Ryder.[16][14] The newly-weds moved into the vicarage at [Burnham on Crouch] where Scott assumed the curacy to supplement his income as Rector of nearby Southminster.[17] They had a son who died shortly after birth named George Alexander, and two daughters, Horatia Sophia and Margaret. Mary died in 1811, having been weakened by the birth of their son.
Scott's daughter Margaret became a best selling author under her married name of Margaret Gatty.[18] She authored a memoir about his life Recollections of the Life of the Rev. A. J. Scott.
He died at
Scott was a collateral forebear of the Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott.[20]
Notes
- ^ "Scott, Alexander John (SCT786AJ)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Adkin. The Trafalgar Companion. p. 17.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 398.
- ^ Hibbert. Nelson:A Personal History. p. 268.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 444.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 460.
- ^ Hibbert. Nelson:A Personal History. p. 328.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 550.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 551.
- ^ Oman. Nelson. p. 554.
- ^ Hibbert. Nelson:A Personal History. p. 356.
- ^ Hibbert. Nelson:A Personal History. p. 388.
- ^ Coleman. The Nelson Touch. p. 337.
- ^ doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10454. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Hibbert. Nelson:A Personal History. p. 412.
- ^ Life of Rev Alexander John Scott
- ^ "Southminster". Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
- ^ "Margaret Gatty". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
- ^ "St Mary's Parish Church, Ecclesfield - Church History - Bells and Churchyard". Retrieved 25 May 2009.
- ^ Scott of the Antarctic, Reginald Pound, Coward-McCann Inc. New York, 1950, p. 2
References
- Adkin, Mark (2007). The Trafalgar Companion: A Guide to History's Most Famous Sea Battle and the Life of Admiral Lord Nelson. London: Aurum Press. ISBN 978-1-84513-018-3.
- Coleman, Terry (2004). The Nelson Touch: The life and legend. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-517322-8.
- Hibbert, Christopher (1994). Nelson A Personal History. Basic Books. ISBN 0-201-40800-7.
- Oman, Carola (1987). Nelson. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-40672-0.
- "The Reverend Doctor Alexander Scott, 1768-1840 (BHC3016)". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2008.