Sir Alexander Dick, 3rd Baronet
Quick Facts
Biography
Sir Alexander Dick, 3rd Baronet PRCPE FRSE FSA (23 October 1703 – 10 November 1785) was a Scottish landowner and physician, who rose to be President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
Life
He was born Alexander Cunningham at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, the 3rd son of Sir William Cunningham, 2nd Baronet of Lambrughton and Caprington, Ayrshire and his wife Janet Dick, the only daughter and heiress of Sir James Dick, 1st Baronet of Prestonfield, Edinburgh. He changed his surname to Dick when he inherited the baronetcy and Prestonfield on the death in 1746 of his elder brother William. He was educated at the Edinburgh High School and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Leyden and the University of St Andrews.
After qualifying as a physician he set up in practice in Pembrokeshire prior to his inheritance. He was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1727 and elected President of the Society from 1756 to 1763. He was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and in 1783 was a founding fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Family
He married twice, firstly in 1736 to Janet Dick, and secondly in 1762 to Mary Butler. He left 3 sons and 5 daughters. He was succeeded by his eldest son William, the 4th Baronet.