Alexander Forbes Irvine

Alexander Forbes Irvine, 20th Laird of Drum FRSE JP DL LLD (1818–1892) was a Scottish landowner, advocate, philosopher and amateur astronomer. He was a prominent member of Clan Irvine and held the family seat of Drum Castle until his death. Life He was born at Schivas House near the village of Tarves in Aberdeenshire on 18 February 1818, the son of Margaret Hamilton of the Hamiltons of Little Earnick, and Alexander Forbes Irvine, 19th Laird of Drum (1777-1861). He was a friend of his near neighbour, Cosmo Innes, and their careers followed very parallel paths. Other friends included William Forbes Skene of Rubbislaw and Sir David Lindsay. He was home tutored rather than attending school, then studied law first at Marischal College in the University of Aberdeen then at the University of Edinburgh. He passed the Scottish bar as an advocate in 1848 and rose to be Dean of the Faculty of Advocates. He was Principal Clerk of the Justiciary Court 1867 to 1874 and Sheriff of Argyll from 1874 to 1891.