Alexander Jardine (died 8 April 1799) was a Scottish artillery officer, spy, and writer on travel and politics.
[6] This voluntary organisation, though the exchange of essays and ideas between the members, would give "an acquaintance to a fixed degree, with Geometry, Algebra, Mechanics, Fortification, Natural Philosophy, History, Law and Politics..."; he proposed that members become familiar with the ideas of a broad cross-section of authors and thinkers: His proposal was accepted, and supported by others.
Although the Society only lasted until 1775, its success inspired, in 1839, the formation of an Institution that later became the Royal Military College of Science.
[10] His Letters was cited by Mary Hays, in her Appeal to the men of Great Britain in behalf of women (1798).
Dybikowski concludes, of Jardine's contribution to the Essay, that it was "an amalgam of Godwinian personal and social ideals structured by a Williams-like political organization".
In 1782 he reviewed in The Monthly Review military works by Michael Dorset and Henry Lloyd, and James Douglas's anonymous translation A General Essay on Military Tactics from Jacques Antoine Hippolyte, Comte de Guibert.
[14] Politically, he identified as a Foxite critic of Lord North, an admirer of the theories on liberty of David Williams (philosopher), and his Letters were praised by Ralph Griffiths.
[18] While stationed at Gibraltar Jardine collected military observations, and presented them in 1772 to the Regimental Society, Woolwich, which he helped to establish in 1772–5.
[19] Their daughters, Charlotte (1768–1792) and Joanna (c.1769–1830), are mentioned in The Early Journals and Letters of Fanny Burney, vol.