A. S. (Alexander Septimus) Alexander

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Alexander Septimus Alexander studied at Andersonian College and graduated from the Glasgow Veterinary College in 1882. That same year he moved to the United States, settled in Iowa, and spent several years farming before continuing his veterinary career.

He later taught at the Chicago Veterinary College from 1890 to 1893. In the early 1900s he joined the University of Wisconsin, first as a special lecturer, then as instructor in veterinary surgery, and eventually as a professor, serving until 1932. While there, he established the department of horse breeding and played an important role in writing and administering Wisconsin's 1905 stallion enrollment law, an early effort to improve breeding standards.

Alexander also served in veterinary roles for major expositions in Chicago and St. Louis, and he wrote numerous articles on veterinary subjects. His best-known book, Horse Secrets (1909), draws on long experience in agriculture, horse breeding, veterinary science, and teaching to offer practical advice while warning readers about dishonest practices in the horse trade.