Munro of Auchinbowie facts for kids

Coat of Arms of the Munro of Auchinbowie family

The Munros of Auchinbowie (sometimes spelt Monro) are a special part of the Clan Munro, a famous highland clan from Scotland. This family was known for having many smart people. Three of them became Professors of Anatomy (the study of the body) at the University of Edinburgh. Many others became doctors and military leaders.

A Family's Story: The Munros of Auchinbowie

Starting the Family Line (1600s)

John Monro, a surgeon who helped start the Edinburgh Medical School. His family later owned Auchinbowie.

The story of the Munros of Auchinbowie usually begins with Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts. He was a major in the army and fought in the Battle of Worcester in 1651. After his army career, he went into politics. His family tree goes back to Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis, an early chief of the Clan Munro.

Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts had seven children:

1. George Munro, 1st of Auchinbowie (1666–1721): He was famous for winning the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689 against the Jacobites. He got the Auchinbowie property, which is near Stirling, through his wife, Margaret Bruce. He also fought in the Siege of Namur (1695).
2. Archibald Munro (born 1666 - died 1697)
3. John Monro: He was a surgeon who helped create the University of Edinburgh Medical School. His children would later own the Auchinbowie lands.
4. Margaret Munro
5. Lillias Munro
6. Jean Munro: She married William Sempil.
7. Mary Munro

Growing the Family (1700s)

George Munro, the first owner of Auchinbowie, had three children:

Auchinbowie House, near Stirling, Scotland

Burial vault of the Monroes of Auchenbowie, St Ninian's Churchyard, Stirling

1. Alexander Munro, 2nd of Auchinbowie: He married Anne Stewart in 1719.
2. George Monro (1700–1757): He was a British Army officer. He is known for bravely defending Fort William Henry in 1757 during the Seven Years' War (also called the French and Indian War). This event became famous in the book and movie The Last of the Mohicans.
3. Margaret Munro (born 1707)

Alexander Munro, the second owner of Auchinbowie, had nine children. Most of them died young. Here are some of the ones who lived:

1. George Munro, 3rd of Auchinbowie (1721–1793): He was an army surgeon. He served with the 42nd Highlanders, also known as the Black Watch. He fought in Germany and America against the French. In 1781, he became the main doctor for the army in Menorca during a six-month siege.
2. Alexander Munro (1724–1750): He was a writer in Edinburgh.
3. John Munro
4. Cecil Munro (1719–1786)

George Munro, the third owner of Auchinbowie, had two sons:

1. Major George Munro: He married Elizabeth Aylmer and had two sons and one daughter.
2. Lieutenant-General Hector William Munro, 1st of Edmondsham (died 1821): He was the Governor of Trinidad. He married Philadelphia Bower and had three sons and four daughters.

Alexander Monro primus: The First Professor

Alexander Monro primus, 4th of Auchinbowie

Even though George Munro, the third owner, had sons, he sold the Auchinbowie property to his cousin, Alexander Monro (primus). This Alexander was the son of John Monro (surgeon), who was the younger brother of the first George Munro of Auchinbowie.

Alexander Monro primus was the very first Professor of Anatomy at the Edinburgh Medical School. He started teaching anatomy in 1719. The next year, he became a professor, and in 1725, he was named the first Professor of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh. He also helped start the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (a hospital).

Alexander Monro primus had six children:

1. John Monro, 5th of Auchinbowie (1725–1789): He was a lawyer.
2. Dr Donald Monro (1728–1802)
3. Jean Monro (1729–1731)
4. Mary Monro (born 1730)
5. Alexander Monro (secundus), 1st of Craiglockhart and Cockburn (1733–1817)
6. Margaret Monro (1757–1802)

Alexander Monro primus helped treat wounded soldiers from both sides at the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715 and the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.

Alexander Monro secundus: Following in Footsteps

Alexander Monro secundus

Alexander Monro primus's oldest son, John Monro, became the 5th owner of Auchinbowie. However, his third son, Alexander Monro (secundus), followed him as Professor of Anatomy in Edinburgh.

Alexander Monro secundus became a Doctor of Medicine in 1775. He then traveled to study more. He visited London, Paris, Leiden University, and Berlin. In Berlin, he lived and worked with the famous Professor Meckel. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1759.

He had four children:

1. Isabella Monro: She married Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Cott.
2. Alexander Monro (tertius), 2nd of Craiglockhart and Cockburn (1773–1859)
3. David Monro (1776–1843)
4. Charlotte Monro (1782–1822)

Alexander Monro tertius: The Third Generation Professor

Alexander Monro tertius

Alexander Monro tertius continued the family tradition. He became the Professor of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh, just like his father and grandfather.

He wrote several books, including Outlines of the Anatomy of the Human Body (1811) and Elements of Anatomy (1825). He was also a leader in the Royal College of Physicians, serving as Secretary and President. He was a member of the Wernerian Natural History Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

He had 12 children:

1. Alexander Monro (1803–1867): A Captain in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).
2. James Monro (1806–1870): A Surgeon-Major in the Coldstream Guards.
3. Henry Monro (1810–1869): One of his sons was Sir Charles Monro, 1st Baronet.
4. Sir David Monro (1813–1877): He had five sons, including Charles John Monro.
5. William Munro (1815–1881): A Major in the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
6. Charles Monro (1818–1820)
7. Maria Monro (1801–1884)
8. Catherine Monro (1804–1868)
9. Georgiana Monro (1808–1868)
10. Harriet Monro (1816–1898): Her son, David Binning Monro, became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
11. Isabella Monro (1819–1908)
12. Charlotte Monro (1821–1908)

Family Connections (DNA)

DNA tests on two living male members of the Munro of Auchinbowie family have shown that they are indeed related to the Chiefs of Clan Munro. This proves their historical family connection.

See also

• Monro of Fyrish