Alexander Allardyce (politician)
Scottish politician and slave trader (1743–1801)
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Alexander Allardyce (c. 1743 – 1 November 1801) was a Scottish politician and slave trader who sat in the Parliament of Great Britain and later the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the Aberdeen Burghs from 18 May 1792 to 1 November 1801.[1] He came from an old Kincardineshire family.[1]
Early life
Alexander Allardyce was born in Aberdeen c. 1743.[2] As a young man, he traveled to the British colony of Jamaica and worked as a slave trader, as well as fathering an illegitimate daughter with Elizabeth Delpratt of Kingston.[3] After his return to Scotland in 1780 he purchased an estate in Kincardineshire.[1] His second daughter Eleanor Allardyce would go onto marry Archibald Kennedy, Earl of Cassilis.[4][5]
Career as member of the British Parliament
Allardyce first entered Parliament in 1792 with the backing of Henry Dundas, after the death of the Aberdeen sitting member.[1] He would retain the seat unchallenged in 1796.[1]
He spoke in favor of the Aberdeen Police Bill of 28 April 1794,[1] and protested strongly against provisions of a Post Office Duty Bill on 21 February and 4 March 1801.[1]
Death
Allardyce died in office on 1 November 1801.[1] He was buried at St Nicholas Kirkyard, in Aberdeen.[6][7]