  A means to extract the fine-structure constant $\alpha$ from precision
spectroscopic data on one-electron ions is presented. We show that in an
appropriately weighted difference of the bound-electron $g$ factor and the
ground state energy, nuclear structural effects can be effectively suppressed.
This method is anticipated to deliver an independent value of $\alpha$ via
existing or near-future combined Penning trap and x-ray spectroscopic
technology, and enables decreasing the uncertainty of $\alpha$ by orders of
magnitude.
