Alexander Arbuthnot

Who was Alexander Arbuthnot?

Alexander Arbuthnot was Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora in the then-established Church of Ireland.

He was born in Rockfleet Castle, County Mayo, Ireland, the son of John Arbuthnot of Rockfleet. Among his siblings were the Right Honourable Charles Arbuthnot and General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot.

Arbuthnot was ordained a priest at Limerick on 2 November 1794, made vicar of Annaghdown and Killascobe in 1801 and rector of Crossboyne and Kilcoleman in 1808. He served as Archdeacon of Aghadoe and Dean of Cloyne, before being elevated to the episcopy as Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora.

He died in Killaloe in County Clare and is buried in the church-yard of his cathedral there. Alexander had married twice: first, on 31 March 1798, Susanna Bingham, daughter of Mr Bingham of Antigua, West Indies; and secondly, on 5 May 1819, Margaret Phoebe Bingham, daughter of General George Bingham. Among his children were Major-General George Bingham Arbuthnot, Sir Alexander John Arbuthnot and General Sir Charles George Arbuthnot.