Alexander Geddes, a Scottish Roman Catholic ecclesiastic, born in Arradowl, Banffshire, Sept. 4, 1737, died in London, Feb. 20, 1802. He was educated at the Scotch college in Paris, where he distinguished himself as a theologian and linguist. In 1769 he was appointed pastor of a Catholic congregation at Auchinhalrig in his native county. In 1780 he removed to London with the intention of commencing a new translation of the Bible for the use of English Catholics; and under the patronage of Lord Petre, who allowed him £200 a year, and provided him with all the necessary authorities, he applied himself to his work. His original design was to make the Vulgate the basis of his translation, but he soon abandoned this idea, and substituted the Hebrew and Greek versions in its stead. The 1st and 2d volumes of this translation appeared in 1792 and 1793; the 3d, which was merely a commentary on the Pentateuch, in 1800; the rest of the work was never published. This translation is considered to have contributed in a considerable degree to the advancement of Biblical criticism. The commentary was written in the spirit of the rationalistic school of Germany, and was favorably regarded by Paulas and Eichhorn, the principal writers of that school.

Immediately after the publication of his commentary, the reading of his work was forbidden to the faithful, and the author was deposed from the priesthood. He was the author of several poems and translations, among which was an imitation of the satires of Horace, which had extraordinary success. A life of Geddes, with a catalogue of his works, was written by Dr. John Mason Good (1 vol. 8vo, London, 1803).