Alexander, Patrick Young, 1867-1943

Patrick Young Alexander (28 March 1867 – 7 July 1943) was a British aeronautical pioneer fascinated by the possibility of heavier-than-air flight. He was an enthusiastic balloonist and he was also active in meteorology. He performed many meteorological and aviation experiments, designing and building his own equipment. He travelled widely, visiting Australia in his youth and later making many visits to the United States, crossing the Atlantic at least 50 times. He travelled widely in Europe and visited Mexico, Russia, Siberia and Africa in pursuit of his interests. Alexander was respected by fellow aeronautical pioneers and knew Octave Chanute, the Wright brothers, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Lawrence Hargrave, Louis Blériot, Henry Farman, Ferdinand von Zeppelin, Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce and Major Baden Baden-Powell, as well as European heads of state and royalty. A world traveller, he arranged meetings between those interested in aeronautics, and gave lectures on the progress being made.