Alexander McDonnell (1798-1835) was England’s best chess player in the early 19^th century, but born in Ireland.  In 1825, he took lessons from William Lewis and joined the Westminster chess Club in London.  From June through October  1834 he played a series of six matches with Louis-Charles de La Bourdonnais, but lost the match (he won 27 games, drew 13, and lost 37).   He died of Bright’s disease at the age of 37.  He was buried at Kensal Green cemetery in London.  His tombstone has his name wrong.  His last name on his tombstone is spelled MacDonnell, not McDonnell.