Alexander Milne

Who was Alexander Milne?

Alexander Milne was a Scottish American entrepreneur and philanthropist and was born in Fochabers, Moray, Scotland. He was employed as a footman by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and when ordered by the duke to powder his red hair, Milne declined, left his employment and emigrated to the American colonies. By 1776, Milne had moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where, after doing well in the hardware business, he set up a brick making company using mainly slave labour—by the late 18th century most of the brick used in New Orleans was made at his works.