[1][2] Born in 1694, he was the son of the Reverend John Alexander, Incumbent of Kildrummy, and Anna Alexander, née Gordon.

It had been intended that he would succeed his father at Kildrummy, however, his ecclesiastical career took him elsewhere.

[1] He was ordained a deacon at Aberdeen on 24 September 1724 and a priest by Bishop Irvine on 26 December 1724.

He was appointed the Incumbent of Alloa in 1724, and Bishop of Dunkeld in 1743.

[2] He was consecrated to the Episcopate at Edinburgh on 19 August 1743 by bishops Keith, White, Falconer and Rait.