COMPANION

A. R. Alexander

Albert Redden (‘A. R.’) Alexander (1874–1947), teacher of the Alexander Technique and F. M. Alexander’s younger brother.

Life

A. R. Alexander joined F. M. Alexander in teaching the Technique in Melbourne, probably in 1896.[1] F. M. moved to Sydney in 1900, and A. R. taught for some time in Melbourne. On February 1st, 1901, he enlisted for the Boer War.[2] He returned to Melbourne in 1902 and influenced by Robert Young he now concentrated on teaching the Sandow system.[3] After F. M. moved to London in 1904 he continued F. M. Alexander’s teaching practice.

A. R. joined F. M. in London in 1911.[4] In 1917 A. R. was paralysed for about six months from a riding accident but recovered, though from then on he walked with a cane and would often sit while teaching the Technique. Between 1915 and 1925 he regularly taught in the US and in 1934 or 35 he moved to Boston, where he taught at the Braemore Hotel.[5] He taught on the teachers training course started by F. M. which he continued after F. M. moved to New York towards the end of 1942. Having suffered a stroke in 1944 A. R. returned to England in 1945 where he died in 1947.[6]

Writings

There are no known writings by A. R. and very little has been written about him. Frank P. Jones’ Freedom to Change contain a description of A.R. and his teaching.[7]

Albert Redden Alexander *15 June 1874 – †23 April 1947.

References

[1] Frederick Matthias Alexander – A Family History by Jackie Evans (Phillimore & Co., 2001), p. 110.
[2]  Frederick Matthias Alexander – A Family History by Jackie Evans (Phillimore & Co., 2001), pp. 122–23.
[3] Frederick Matthias Alexander – A Family History by Jackie Evans (Phillimore & Co., 2001), p. 124.
[4] Frederick Matthias Alexander – A Family History by Jackie Evans (Phillimore & Co., 2001), p. 150.
[5] Frederick Matthias Alexander – A Family History by Jackie Evans (Phillimore & Co., 2001), p. 191.
[6] A Time to Remember by Walter H. M. Carrington (The Sheildrake Press, 1996), endnote p. 87.
[7] Freedom to Change [Body Awareness in Action] by Frank Pierce Jones (Mouritz, 1997 [1976]), pp. 67-72.