Ralph Abercromby

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For his grandson, the diplomat, see Ralph Abercromby, 2nd Baron Dunfermline. For his great-
grandson, see Ralph Abercromby (meteorologist). For the public house in Manchester, see Sir
Ralph Abercromby (pub).
"Ralph Abercrombie" redirects here. For the Australian public servant, see Ralph Abercrombie
(public servant).
Ralph Abercromby

Sir Ralph Abercromby, by John Hoppner

7 October 1734
Born
Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
28 March 1801 (aged 66)
Died
Alexandria, Egypt
Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, Malta
Buried
( 35.902722°N 14.519889°ECoordinates: 35.902722°N 14.519889°E)
Allegiance Great Britain
Service/ British Army
Years of service 1756–1801
Rank Lieutenant-General
Battles/wars Seven Years' War

• West German Campaign

French Revolutionary Wars

 • Flanders Campaign
• Invasion of Trinidad
• Invasion of Puerto Rico
• Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland

Irish Rebellion of 1798

French campaign in Egypt and Syria

• Invasion of Egypt ()

Awards KCB
Brother: Alexander Abercromby, Lord Abercromby and General Sir Robert
Relations
Abercromby
Member of Parliament
Other work Governor of Trinidad
Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire

Menstrie Castle

Kilwinning Lodge, Edinburgh

Sir Ralph Abercromby KB (sometimes spelt Abercrombie) (7 October 1734 – 28 March 1801)
was a Scottish soldier and politician. He twice served as MP for Clackmannanshire, rose to the rank
of lieutenant-general in the British Army, was appointed Governor of Trinidad, served as
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, and was noted for his services during the French Revolutionary
Wars.
Contents
• 1 Early life
• 2 Freemasonry
• 3 Career
• 4 Death
• 5 Recognition
• 6 Family
• 7 Popular culture
• 8 Further reading
• 9 Notes
• 9.1 References
• 9.2 Primary sources
• 9.3 Secondary sources
• 10 External links

Early life
Ralph Abercromby was born on 7 October 1734 at Menstrie Castle, Clackmannanshire. He was the
second (but eldest surviving) son of George Abercromby, a lawyer and descendant of the
Abercromby family of Birkenbog, Aberdeenshire and Mary Dundas (d. 1767), daughter of Ralph
Dundas of Manour, Perthshire. His younger brothers include the advocate Alexander Abercromby,
Lord Abercromby and General Robert Abercromby.[1][2]
Abercromby's education was begun by a private tutor, then continued at the school of Mr Moir in
Alloa, then considered one of the best in Scotland despite its Jacobite leanings. Ralph attended
Rugby School from 12 June 1748, where he remained until he was 18. Between 1752 and 1753, he
was a student at the University of Edinburgh. There he studied moral and natural philosophy and
civil law, and was regarded by his professors as sound rather than brilliant.[3] He completed his
studies at Leipzig University in Germany from autumn 1754, taking more detailed studies in civil
law with a view to a career as an advocate.[4]