Abercromby, SIR RALPH

Abercromby, SIR RALPH, was born at Menstry, Clackmannanshire, 7th October 1734. Destined for the Scottish bar, he was educated at Rugby, and then from 1752 to 1755 studied law at Edinburgh and Leipzig. His natural inclination, however, pointed to a military life; and having in 1756 obtained a cornetcy in the 3d Dragoon Guards, he two years later saw some active service in the Seven Years' War. From 1774 to 1780 he represented Clackmannanshire in parliament; and in 1780 raised a regiment in Ireland, the 103d, or King's Irish. In 1793 he accompanied the Duke of York to Holland. His conduct throughout that unfortunate campaign, especially during the disastrous retreat in the winter of 1794-5, won him the love and admiration of the whole army. On his return to England, he was made a Knight of the Bath, and was appointed to the chief command of the West Indies Expedition, which he conducted with distinguished success. In 1797 he was sent to command the forces in Ireland; but his enlightened and manly remonstrances against the policy of government towards that country occasioned his removal to a similar command in Scotland. In 1799 he was second in command to the Duke of York in the other unhappy expedition to Holland. On his return, he received the command of the expedition to the Mediterranean. The fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay on 2d March 1801; and before mid-day of the 8th, the British troops were in possession of the sand-hills which command the shore, having landed in the face of a storm of shot. On the morning of the 21st, Menou, the French commander, attempted to surprise the British camp. He found them ready, under arms. In the glorious action that ensued, Abercromby was struck by a musket-ball in the thigh; but not till the battle was won did he show any sign of pain. The ball could not be extracted; mortification ensued; and on the 28th he died on board the flag-ship. He was buried at Malta, and a monument was erected to him in St Paul's. The peerage conferred on his widow was afterwards enjoyed by his eldest son, with the title of Baron Abercromby. —His third son, JAMES (1776-1858), entered parliament in 1807, held the office of Speaker (1835-39), and was then created Baron Dunfermline. He was author of a Memoir of the last eight years of his father's life (1861).