Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of, 1567 or 1568-1640

• A., W. (William Alexander), 1567 or 1568-1640
• Alexander, W. (William), 1567 or 1568-1640
• Alexander, William, 1567 or 1568-1640
• Alexander, William, Earl of Stirling, 1567 or 1568-1640
• Alexander, William, Sir, 1567 or 1568-1640
• Sterline, William, Earl of, 1567 or 1568-1640
• Sterling, William Alexander, Earl of, 1567 or 1568-1640
• Stirling, Earl of (William Alexander), 1567 or 1568-1640
• Stirling, William Alexander, Earl of, 1567 or 8-1640
• W. A. (William Alexander), 1567 or 1568-1640

Sir William Alexander was born in Menstrie, Scotland in c.1567. Alexander was educated grammar schools and university, and would go on to be an accomplished poet, author and scholar. His poems became the entertainment of the Royal Court. In 1609, Alexander was appointed Gentleman-Usher to Prince Charles, followed by appointments as Master of Requests for Scotland in 1614 and a member of the Scottish Privy Council in 1615.

In 1621, King James I granted Alexander a royal charter appointing him mayor of a vast territory that comprised most of Miꞌkmaꞌki, the traditional and current territories of the Mi'kmaq people. Alexander worked with King James to colonize this territory and establish a “New Scotland” in the footsteps of New France and New England. He was granted the three Atlantic Provinces and the Gaspè Peninsula. This grant however included territory governed by the French, known as Acadia. After some years of unsuccessfully encouraging Scottish settlers to immigrate to Nova Scotia, King James created the dignity of baronet on any Scottish person that would pay for Scottish settlers to immigrate. The Baronets of Nova Scotia became land owners in New Scotland. 85 baronets were purchased by 1631, when Alexander was forced to surrender his colony at Port Royal to the French.

Alexander was appointed Secretary for Scotland in 1626 and held that office for the rest of his life. He died in 1640.