Alexander Haldane Oswald (12 December 1811 – 6 September 1868) was a Scottish Conservative Party politician. He was the member of parliament (MP) for Ayrshire from 1843 to 1852.
Early life Alexander Oswald was born in Govan, Scotland to Richard Alexander Oswald, merchant of Moore Park, GlasgowSmith, John Guthrie & Mitchell, John Oswald "The Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry" (James MacLehose & Sons, Glasgow, 1878) pp. passim and Elizabeth Anderson,Birth Register at Scotlands People on-line database (subscription required) accessed 26 November 2011 the eldest of five children. He represented the family of Haldane of that Ilk through Agnes Haldane (his paternal great-grandmother) who was the mother of Mrs. Alexander Oswald (Margaret Dundas) of Shield Hall. Having proved his representation and received Arms and Supporters accordingly, he adopted the middle name of Haldane.
Career Oswald was a Conservative candidate"The Times", Friday, 28 July 1843; pg. 4; Issue 18360; col E in online database (subscription required) accessed 26 November 2011 and sworn as a member of parliament for Ayrshire on 8 August 1843. Hansard (1803-2005)
He remained as an M.P. until 7 July 1852.
On 18 June 1845, he appeared at Marylebone Magistrates Court having allegedly assaulted a police officer while "much the worse for drink". He was found guilty and fined £3 which he immediately paid."The Times", Wednesday, 18 June 1845; pg. 8; Issue 18953; col E in on-line database (subscription required) accessed 26 November 2011
He was re-elected, unopposed on 5 August 1847."The Times" Saturday, 7 August 1847; pg. 3; Issue 19622; col A in on-line database (subscription required) accessed 26 November 2011
His first recorded debate in the House of Commons was on 24 July 1846 (Ways and Means – Sugar Duties – Adjourned) and his final recorded debate was on 25 June 1852 (Corrupt Practices at Elections Bill).Hansard (1803-2005) During his time as an M.P. he had a total of 39 recorded contributions.
Oswald died on 6 September 1868"England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941" Record for Alexander Haldane Oswald in Ancestry on-line database (subscription required) accessed 27 November 2011 at the family estate in Auchincruive, Ayrshire.
Family life
On 15 August 1844 at St. Helen's, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Oswald married Lady Louisa Elizabeth Frederica (daughter of the 1st Earl of Craven), widow of Sir Frederick George Johnstone, 7th Baronet,"England and Wales Marriages 1538-1940" in online database (subscription required) accessed 26 November 2011 (son of Sir John Lowther Johnstone, 6th Baronet),"Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 18 September 1820" in online database (subscription required) accessed 1 June 2014 and mother of Sir Frederick Johnstone, 8th Baronet and George Charles Keppel Johnstone. Together Alexander and Louisa had two daughters and two sons. Their daughter Edith Mary married John Yorke, 7th Earl of Hardwicke.
Oswald succeeded to the Oswald family estate in Auchincruive when his paternal uncle James Oswald died in 1853."Public Sculpture of Glasgow" McKenzie, Raymond & Nisbet, Gary (Liverpool University Press, 2002) Before this, he had been living with his wife and young family in Eaton Place, London.1851 Census in Ancestry on-line database (subscription required) accessed 27 November 2011 By 1861, he was widowed and living with his three teenage children in Green Street, Westminster.1861 Census in Ancestry on-line database (subscription required) accessed on 27 November 2011
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