Alexander Forbes was born in 1564 as the son of John Forbes, 2nd laird of Ardmurdo, and his wife Helen Graham of Morphie. His grandfather William Forbes, third son of William Forbes of Little Kildrummy, had acquired the estate of Ardmurdo in the parish of Keith Hall in about 1500. (Tayler, Alistair and Henrietta. 1937. House of Forbes. Edinburgh: Third Spalding Club.)
After gaining a Master of Arts degree in 1585 from the University of St Andrews, he became minister of Fettercairn in the Mearns in 1588. He became involved in the politics of the Church of Scotland, specifically whether church elders or presbyters could elect their own bishops (Presbyterianism) or whether King James VI could appoint the bishops (Episcopacy.)
Erskine of Dun noted in his papers in 1603 that “The King appoints Mr. Alexander Forbes, minister of Fetterkairne a member of the Mearns Presbytery to accompany him to London on the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth, with other members similarly called, and to bring back to Scotland directions to the General Assembly regarding the preservation of the peace and unity of the Kirk.” (Ibid.) In 1604, he was appointed as Bishop of Caithness but maintained his responsibilities at Fettercairn.
The King’s favor was not forgotten. Bishop Forbes was a member of the 1610 General Assembly when Episcopacy was fully ratified. James was accused “of bribery and intimidation” to secure his control over the delegates. “The bribery practised at this Assembly was shamefully notorious. Golden coins, called angels, were so plentifully distributed among the ministers, that it was called, by way of derision, the angelical Assembly.” (M'Crie, Thomas. 1875. The story of the Scottish church : from the Reformation to the Disruption. Publisher London: Blackie & Son)
In the following year, 1611, Forbes was consecrated as Bishop under the new regime at Brechin by the George Gledstanes, Archbishop of St. Andrews; Alexander Lindsay, Bishop of Dunkeld; and Andrew Lamb, Bishop of Brechin.
In 1616 he was appointed to the vacant Bishopric of Aberdeen, and installed there February 23rd, 1617. However, Forbes died on December 14th of the that year. He was succeeded by his clansman Patrick Forbes of Corse, who remained in that post until his death in 1635.
Bishop Alexander Forbes had married Christian Straton of Crigie, and had ten children: William Forbes, his heir; Alexander who became a colonel in the Swedish army; John Forbes, minister of Auchterless; Arthur who became a captain in the Swedish army; George; Bernard; Margaret (or Marjory) who married Andrew Straiton of Warburton, a cousin; Isobel who married George Forbes of Athallan; and Jean who married Robert Leighton of Usan. (Tayler, Alistair and Henrietta. 1937. House of Forbes. Edinburgh: Third Spalding Club.)
Today, you can see his name and year of his tenure as bishop on a plaque installed at St. Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen. He was originally buried in the west transept of the cathedral. However, central tower and spire collapsed in a storm in 1688, destroying the transept.
The memorial stone was removed and propped against the western wall in the open space that was once the west transept. His name is engraved around the lower right corner of the memorial.
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