Dr Alexander MacFadzean (1788 – 1849), physician and philanthropist who worked to improve the welfare of the poor in Ardrossan.
Dr Alexander MacFadzean died at the age of 60 on the 8th of January, 1849. Alexander was a greatly respected philanthropist who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the inhabitants of Ardrossan and gave freely to relieve the suffering of the poor. He encouraged the development of good standards of hygiene and was instrumental in providing Ardrossan with a filtered water supply for the general use of its inhabitants and the service of its industries.
The Earl of Eglinton said about him: “It must give you great pleasure to know that your name is identified with the prosperity of Ardrossan by being connected with every beneficial undertaking which has been commenced since you came to live among us … and know that your name is pronounced with affection and gratitude in what were once the abodes of suffering and misery.”
Alexander’s funeral was attended by his family and friends and over 500 members of public joined the procession. He was buried in Glasgow.
Shortly after his death, a monument to him was erected at the top of Castle Hill in Ardrossan, which towers over the town to this day.
- Inscription on the monument: Erected to the memory of Alexander MacFadzean, Esquire, M D1by his friends in Ardrossan and elsewhere as a monument of their high esteem for his active benevolence in the exercise of his profession, united to great and untiring zeal in the promotion of those measures and institutions which had for their objective the moral and religious improvement and the welfare of the inhabitants of Ardrossan and neighbourhood. Obiit 8 Jan 1849, Aetat 60.
- 9th of January 1849 – Ayr Observer: It is our melancholy duty to announce the death of another of our esteemed and efficient Ayrshire medical practitioners, Alexander MacFadzean, esquire, M D, Ardrossan. This gentleman died yesterday morning after an illness of a few days, caused by rose in his limbs. By his demise, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and surrounding country have been deprived of a zealous promoter of all works of utility, an efficient county magistrate and a skilful surgeon who held a long and high professional position in these localities. He bestowed much of his time and professional skill with gratuitous medicine on the poor. From his situation, he had opportunities on minutely knowing the peculiar circumstances and characters of the indigent and, by his judicious advocacy of their claims to the wealthy and benevolent, alms and clothing were freely doled out, through such agency to many deserving objects who might otherwise have not been recipients of such bounty. In private circles, he was deemed humorous and agreeable. In his professional capacity, he was confiding, attentive, soothing and tender-hearted and all classes of various shades of political and religious opinion will long cherish a warm respect for his memory. By the loss of Dr MacFadzean, James Oswald, esquire of Auchincruive and Cavens; Alexander Oswald, esquire, Member of Parliament for Ayrshire; Lady Louisa Oswald; Andrew and Alexander Oswald Mitchell, esquires, writers, Glasgow and the other members of the family of the late Andrew Mitchell, esquire, of Maulside et cetera, will be placed in mourning.
- 19th January – Kilmarnock Journal: The funeral of Dr MacFadzean took place on Thursday. Out of respect to his memory, all the shopkeepers in town close their places of business. His relations purposed making the funeral strictly private but, learning that the public was desirous of attending it, they acquiesced when upwards of five hundred individuals joined the solemn procession. Of these, about two hundred of Messrs Barr and Shearer’s workmen participated and the Magistrates and Town Council of the burgh were present. The remains of Dr MacFadzean were conveyed, per special railway train, for interment to Glasgow. On Sabbath, the Reverend Mr Bryce of the Barony Church, Ardrossan paid a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman’.