Mcdonnell Alexander (22.05.1798 – 14.09.1835)

British leading player. Born in Belfast, Ireland. A bachelor who held the post of Secretary of the West India Committee of Merchants.

In the 1820s he took chess lessons from William Lewis and became one of the strongest players of his country. In 1834 he challenged the French champion Louis-Charles Mahé de la Bourdonnais in six matches (the last unfinished) and 85 accomplished games, finishing with the score of +27-45+13.

He developed a kidney ailment and died one year later of Bright’s disease in London at the age of 37. He was buried at Kensal Green All Souls’ cemetery in London.