The son of Provost George Fordyce (1663-1733)[1] of Aberdeen, and brother of David Fordyce, was born at Aberdeen in 1724, and educated at Marischal College; also serving a medical pupilage with a local practitioner and with his brother John at Uppingham in 1743.
He then volunteered for the army during the War of the Austrian Succession which ended in 1748, and obtained an appointment as surgeon to the Guards, with whom he served in three campaigns.
While retaining his connection with the army, he entered on general practice in London, and this and the growing fame of his brothers gained him introduction.
He died at Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, after a long illness, on 4 December 1792, aged 68.
[6] At the time of his death he was lord rector of Marischal College, to which he left £1,000.