Alexander Wood was born in Cupar, Fife, and was among the first pupils of Edinburgh Academy. He graduated MD from the University of Edinburgh in 1839 and practised in the New Town of Edinburgh. Wood lectured on the practice of physic in the extramural school and was a strong opponent of homeopathy, publishing 'Homeopathy Unmasked' and 'Sequel to Homeopathy Unmasked'. He is credited as the first doctor in Britain to administer pain-relieving drugs by the subcutaneous route.
