He was the son of Sir Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie, Treasurer of Scotland. After the death of Robert Shaw, Bishop of Moray, Alexander was given crown nomination to the Apostolic see as Shaw's successor.
Alexander, the child of Sir Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie, Scotland's treasurer, succeeded Bishop Robert Shaw after Shaw's passing and was subsequently appointed by the Pope to take over as bishop of Moray.