Sir Alexander Gordon-Cumming

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Penrose Gordon-Cumming, 3rd Baronet of Altyre, was born on 17 August 1816, the son of Sir William Gordon-Cumming, 2nd Bt. and Elizabeth Maria nee Campbell.

Educated at Eton, on 6 February 1835 he became a ensign in the 71st Regiment of Foot, rising to the rank of captain on 15 April 1842. On 2 June 1843 he transferred to the 4th Light Dragoons, but sold out on 31 October 1845. From 14 January 1853, he served as major in the Inverness militia, resigning on 3 December 1857. From 12 June 1861 until his death he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Elginshire Rifle Volunteers.

On 28 November 1845 he married Anne Pitcairn Campbell, daughter of Augustus Campbell. At the death of his father in 1854 he gained the title 3rd Baronet of Altyre. He died on 2 September 1866 at the age of 50.

In 1890, his son, Sir William Gordon-Cumming, who succeeded him as 4th Baronet, was at the centre of the Tranby Croft scandal, when he was caught cheating at Baccarat with the Prince of Wales.

Sir Alexander Gordon-Cumming returned to Silvy’s studio for a second sitting on 3 July 1861. For a portrait from that sitting, see page 64 of this section.

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London on 13 March 1861.