Born in
Stirling,[11] he was the eldest son of Edward Alexander of Powis,
Clackmannanshire, and his second wife Catherine Glas, daughter of John Glas, Provost of Stirling.[7]
The family purchased Powis House near Stirling in 1808 from James Mayne (his uncle by marriage) for £26,500. His father, a banker, had to sell Powis House in 1827 on collapse of the Stirling Banking Company.[12] He received his training in
Edinburgh,
Glasgow, and the
Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
In 1853, he obtained Westerton House in
Bridge of Allan, built in 1803 by Dr John Henderson of the
East India Company (a cousin and friend). Here he became an elder of
Logie Kirk, walking there each Sunday.[12]
He died in
Ryde on the
Isle of Wight but is buried in Old Logie Churchyard just east of his home town of Stirling.[11] The graveyard lies several hundred metres north of Logie Cemetery and the 19th century Logie Kirk.
After his death, his trustees sold Westerton House to
Edmund Pullar.
On behalf of the
Royal Geographical Society (which he had co-founded), he conducted an exploring expedition into
Namaqualand and
Damaraland, lasting from 8 September 1836 to 21 September 1837,[17][18] in the course of which he collected rock specimens, pelts of rare animals, bird skins, weapons and implements from the
Herero and
Nama, as well as drawing maps of the region and making a first list of Herero words.[19][20]
Alexander, James Edward (1830). Travels to the Seat of War in the East, through Russia and the Crimea, in 1829. With Sketches of the Imperial Fleet and Army, Personal Adventures, and Characteristic Anecdotes. Vol. 2. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley.
Alexander, James Edward (1833). Transatlantic Sketches: Comprising Visits to the Most Interesting Scenes in North & South America & West Indies with Notes on Negro Slavery and Canadian Emigration. Vol. 2. London: Richard Bentley.
Alexander, James Edward (1837). Narrative of a Voyage of Observation among the Colonies of Western Africa, in the Flag-Ship Thalia; and of a Campaign in Kaffir-Land, on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, in 1835. Vol. 2. London: Henry Colburn.
Alexander, James Edward (1838). An Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa: Through the Hitherto Undescribed Countries of the Great Namaquas, Boschmans, and Hill Damaras, Performed Under the Auspices of Her Majesty's Government and the Royal Geographic Society. Vol. 2. London: Henry Colburn.
Alexander, James Edward (1840). Life of Field Marshal, His Grace the Duke of Wellington: Embracing His Civil, Military, and Political Career to the Present Time. Vol. 2. London: Henry Colbourn.
Alexander, James Edward (1865). Notes on the Maories of New Zealand: with Suggestions for their Pacification and Preservation. London: Aborigines' Protection Society.
^Alexander, James Edward (1838). An Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa: Through the Hitherto Undescribed Countries of the Great Namaquas, Boschmans, and Hill Damaras, Performed Under the Auspices of Her Majesty's Government and the Royal Geographic Society. Vol. 2. London: Henry Colburn.