Abercromby, Ralph

(1734 –1801) was a Scottish soldier and politician. Heserved as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, and was noted for his services during the French Revolutionary Wars.
In 1801 Abercromby commanded the expedition to the Mediterranean, and after some brilliant operations defeated the French in the Battle of Alexandria. During the action he was struck by a musket-ball in the thigh; but not until the battle was won and he saw the enemy retreating did he show any sign of pain. He was borne from the field in a hammock, cheered by the blessings of the soldiers as he passed, and conveyed on board the flag-ship HMS Foudroyant which was moored in the harbor. The ball could not be extracted; mortification ensued, and seven days later, on 28 March 1801, he died. By a vote of the House of Commons, a monument was erected in Abercromby’s honour in St Paul’s Cathedral in London.