Alexander took over from Thomas Gibson-Carmichael at Midlothian.
Alexander was the son and heir of Viscount Elibank and generally referred to as "M"aster of Elibank". He was educated at Cheltenham . He was a partner in the publishing firm, Pearson's. He stood unsuccessfully at Edinburgh West and Peevbles and Selkirk in 1895 and City of York in 1900.
Alexander was appointed Comptroller of the Household in 1905 and held the post until 1909
Alexander switched to Peebles and Selkirk in 1906.
In 1909 Alexander was appointed Under Secretary of State for India.
In January 1910 Alexander switched back to Midlothian. He was appointed Chief Whip. His predecessor Jack Pease advised Asquith against the appointment , viewing Alexander as "too scheming". He was the chief supporter in Cabinet of the 1910 Constitutional Conference. He was deeply critical of Asquith's speech admitting there were "no guarantees" about the creation of peers.
Alexander held the post until August 1912 when he resigned due to being implicated in the Marconi scandal. As the actual purchaser of the controversial shares he was most in the firing line. Just weeks later he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Murray.
Alexander went to Columbia to develop some gold mines but returned during the war. He was Lloyd George's emissary to Asquith regarding the 1918 election and the offer of the Lord Chancellorship.
He died in 1920 aged 50, never succeeding his father in the viscountcy.
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