Who is robert haldane

In the same year Lord Dunaan married the daughter of the Lord President Dundas, a lady the remembrance of whose charming vivacity, warm-hearted kindness, and many admirable qualities, the two brothers cherished with the grateful feelings of almost filial affection.

After the marriage, it was necessary to make new arrangements, and the house in Dundee having been relinquished, it was determined that the two boys should go to the High School of Edinburgh. Accordingly, in September, , they were boarded with the Rector of the High School, the celebrated Dr. Adam, the author of the "Rnoman Antiquities," and other valuable works.

His house was in Charles-street, fronting the entrance into Georgesquare, and overlooking the large mansion with the court in front, afterwards Lord Duncan's, but then occupied by the Lord Advocate, the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, the first Lord Melville.

In a letter written many years afterwards, by Mr. Adam, when he called your uncle and myself in the "morning, used to point to his candle, burning in the room, where "he had been laboring for a couple of hours before we were "awake.

Robert at once joined the fifth or Rector's class in the High School, James although more than four years younger the third class, then taught by Mr. French, a pious and estimable man, with. There were at the High School several contemporaries, who afterwards became distinguished in the fields of literature, law, or politics.

Boys of all ranks, from the sons of the noble to the sons of the tradesman, were there associated. There were also two with whom both the brothers were afterwards to be connected in the religious movement in Scotland, but with neither of them had they at the time any personal acquaintance. The one was the well-known Mr. John Campbell, the African Missionary, who used graphically to describe the time when he first saw his future. The -other was Mr. Greville Ewing, the son of a respectable teacher of mathematics in Edinburgh.

Campbell, who was born in , was in the class of Nicholl, the friend of Burns, and a partaker both of Burns' genius and vices; Mr. Ewing, although fifteen months older, was in the same class with James: Haldane, consisting probably of nearly an hundred boys, placed in order, according to their respective merits. Ewing, in spite of an interrupted education, afterwards became, chiefly through his own exertions, esteemed for his scholarship, but at that time he only occupied a place -about the middle of Mr.

French's class. James Haldane was near the head, a position which does not always guarantee the same superiority in after-life, although it is no doubt indicative of natural quickness. In noticing their course of study, it would be unjust to omit the name of their French master, Mr.

Cauvin, more usually named Mr. Gavin, who died some years ago, leaving a large sum of money to found an hospital at Duddingstone, where he resided.

With him they were favorite pupils, and after they left the High Schoolwere accustomed to go to his residence, and make very agreeable excursions with him, when nothing but French was spoken. On the Saturdays, Sundays, and other casual holidays, the two brothers had a happy home at Nellfield, near Edinburgh, where their uncle then resided, until the war again summoned him to sea. Their long vacation'was spent at Lundie House. In connection with their visits' to Nellfield, there is a little anecdote which is indicative of the manners of the times, and also used to furnish some amusement.

When James Haldane happened to be walking out to -his uncle's, he was overtaken by a young minister on horseback, who'asked him where he was going. AVith great simplicity, the boy replied, "To Nellfield," which sounding very much like Melville, the minister supposed, from the nearness of their age, that the young gentleman was the son of the great dispenser of Scottish patronage, both lay and ecclesiastical, and was going to Melville Castle, near Lasswade. He was immediately invited to mount behind the saddle, according to the fashion of the day, when there were few wheeled vehicles, and was thus very pleasantly conveyed along the road.

Arriving at the gate of Nellfield, James informed his conductor that they must now part. The disappointment manifested'was inexplicable. In his' boyhood it was for several years the desire of Robert tIaldane to fit himself for the ministry in the Church of Scotland, and at Lundie House he used regularly every Sunday to exhibit this inclination by addressing, or, as it might be called, preaching to the'domestics in the servants' hall.

This might be considered, perhaps, as rather savoring of boyish sport, but he himself spoke of it far otherwise near the close of his life, and stated, that from the time when he was nine years old, he had: more or less of serious convictions as to the things of God. But whatever were his inclinations as to the ministry, it was then deemed quite contrary to ordinary usage in Scotland, that one of his fortune and position should become a minister.

He himself was probably easily persuaded on the point, more especially as the exploits of his uncle kindled in his breast a desire to follow him into the navy and share in the glories of the ocean.

The result was, tlat, rather abruptly leaving his studies at the College of Edinburgh early in , he joined the Monarch at Portsmouth. The departure of his uncle and aunt from the vicinity of Edinburgh, followed by that of his brother, were circumstances of disadvantage as well as discomfort to James. In the memorandum from which we have already quoted, and which will be again referred to, he marks this period as one from which he began more openly to depart from an outward attention to personal religion.

In and James passed through the Rector's class, remaining there two years. He was reckoned a clever, shrewd boy, observant, and of quick perception, possessing a retentive memory and the capacity of application, although his love:of adventurous sport strongly preponderated, whether it was exhibited in his dangerous rambles on the Salisbury Craigs, climbing what was termed the " Cat's nick" in summer, or, dur. Although younger than the generality of the boys of his standing in the school, his usual place during his last year at the Rector's class was about third, but on the final adjustment of places the industry of some of those usually below him, and his own indifference on the subject, made him only seventh.

When Dr. Adam, before the public examination, went through his usual plan of asking the upper boys if they were satisfied with their places, he put the same question to James Haldane, and being answered in the affirmative, the Rector very significantly shook his head, and remarked, that if he were satisfied, it was not much to his credit.

Two or three years before, when he was under Mr. French, Dr. Adam met him in the street returning from school, and proposed to give him the pleasure of accompanying him to some show or exhibition. But observing that his clothes had been soiled in the boisterous amusements of the High School yards, the Rector reproved his little pupil, and said that he did not himself choose to be seen in such company. Before dismissing the boy, he asked, however, what was his place in his class, and being told that he was Dux, or first, the enthusiasm of the learned Rector was kindled, and affectionately grasping the hand of his scholar, he exclaimed, "I would walk with you although you were clothed in rags!

Adam, to attend the different professors of Greek, Latin, mathematics, logic, metaphysics, and natural-philosophy, in their usual order. In Colonel Duncan took him to Ldndon, on a visit to Gosport, where the future Admiral resided for five years with his family, during the peace, in command of the Edgar guardship. The interest of the journey, which in those days was a formidable affair, with the novelty of a new country and new places, became enhanced by the spectacle of a remarkable meteor which then passed over England.

After seeing the wonders of the great metropolis, they proceeded to Gosport, where an acquaintance was begun with the great and good Dr. Bogue, which ripened into Christian friendship, only terminating with death. It was the wish of both his uncles that he should enjoy the advantage of seeing as much as possible of their own country before going to sea.

Accordingly it was arranged, that in August, ,. Adam should take James Haldane, and his schoolfellow, the. They travelled on horseback, and the commencement of their journey was rather auspicious, for, stopping at Haddington, they accidentally made acquaintance with a gentleman of the name of Haldane, who, although an entire stranger, was so much pleased with his young namesake, that he presented him with a very handsome and well-bred horse, in order that he might not be worse mounted than young Ramsay, who had been furnished by his uncle, who was then the Tattersall of Scotland.

They were accompanied on this tour by the Rev. Macknight, the well-known commentator, whose practical disregard of the Lord's-day made a deep impression on James Haldane. Although Dr. Adam was, not an enlightened man in spiritual things, and then attended the very moderate teaching of the minister of St. Cuthbert's Chapel-of-Ease, yet he had been accustomed to reverence the outward symbols of religion. Macknight persuaded his learned friend that, being now out of the bounds of Presbytery, and under no obligation to countenance Prelatical worship, it' would be very absurd to allow their journeying- plans to be deranged by the intervention of the Sabbath.

This convenient doctrine at first surprised,' but: at' last proved very palatable to the young travellers. Adam felt very much ashamed when they entered a town or village when the church-going bells were calling the people to the services of the sanctuary. But these scruples were soon overcome by the doughty commentator, who was thus in effect giving a practical warning against that frigid scheme of rationalistie Arminianism which pervades his writings.

There was no writer whom the two brothers in after-life regarded as a more dangerous corrupter of the truths of the Gospel. On their return to Edinburgh, James ilaldane:bade farewell to Dr. Adam and the -house in Charies-street, where: he had now spent nearly seven years of his life. The months during which he remained in Scotland before going to sea in the East India, service were spent at Lundie House, and the Colonel's unremit-.

He was now in his seventeenth year, and before noticing the 3. For a long time after their mother's death, both the brothers were much solemnized by a sense of the importance of those things which she had so earnestly inculcated. Their sister's death had doubtless for a time tended to deepen the impression. When they came to Edinburgh they used to be remarked, and even laughed at, for their reverence for sacred things.

Robert Hal-'dane's inclination for the ministry has been already noticed; and two-elderly ladies from Durham, who then lived in Edinburgh, the cousins of their deceased grandmother, the widow of Colonel Haldane, often lamented that young James should be destined for zso rough a profession as that of a sailor. They did not desire him ito be a Presbyterian minister, but said that it would be much. But whatever appearances of seriousness continued for some years, they were not enduring, as will be seen from the following extract from the manuscript already quoted:"Till I was twelve years old I continued to pray, go to church, "and read my Bible or other good books on the Sabbath, but it " was only from a principle of duty, and was indeed only that " kind of bodily exercise which profiteth little.

I had no pleasure " in- any religious duty, but conscience retained a certain infiu". I was well pleased:" if any slight illness, or anything occurred which seemed a suffi-" cient excuse to myself for staying at home on the Lord's-day. This always puffed " me up with thoughts that I was very good. But to show how "' much I considered prayer as a task, if I had bowed my knee in a' such a frame as this before supper, I considered it unnecessary 4'"to pray again when I went to bed.

About that time, that te. I had just been thinking that "I was in the right road to heaven, but that text rather cast a "damp upon my hopes, for it seemed to describe my character.

From " about 13 to 16, I became more careless, often spending the Sab"bath evenings in idle conversation with my companions, and I "was pleased to find my conscience become less and less scrupu"lous. I also began to swear, because, according to the fashion "of the times, it seemed to be manly, and except a form of prayer, " which I still kept up, every serious idea seemed to have fled. Some vexation I met with from a quarrel with " some companions, caused me to pray to God, and I began again "to read my Bible on the Sabbath, and completely gave up "swearing for a season.

They laughed, and I endured some ridi"cule for thus spending the Sabbath, but the opposition rather "confirmed than altered my determination.

I do not mention "this as anything praiseworthy; it certainly proceeded more from "pride than any other principle. Had it been scattered by the wayside, or on stony ground, or amongst thorns, and so perished without yielding fruit?

Had her prayers been offered up in vain? Had the confidence of that faith, which burned so bright in the hour of her departure, been on behalf of her children a vain trust in the promises of the Gospel? Had she miscalculated the meaning of those declarations made on behalf of the offspring of believing, prayerful, and persevering parents?

It will be seen that the blossoms of early piety had indeed nearly disappeared,-that they had proved like the early cloud and the morning dew. But yet the faithful labors of the trustful mother had not been in vain. Ier prayers had ascended before the mercy-seat, " perfumed with much incense," and were registered in heaven.

The good seed was only buried, not lost; and by and by, after a long winter, it was destined to spring up in "the power of an endless life," instinct with blessings for her children and her children's children, nay, for thousands who were to receive the Gospel from their voice or from their writings. It is now time to notice the career of his elder brother, from the period when he rather unexpectedly quitted his studies in Edinburgh, and in the spring of , being then too in his seventeenth year, entered the Royal Navy.

The revolt of the American Colonies was the first great public event which excited the interest of the two brothers,, and even the younger used to mention his boyish recollections of the excitement, produced by the sudden arrival of the declaration of independence, and the prospect of the war with France. It was in that the establishment at Nellfield was broken up, and their uncle once more entered on active service.

It may easily be supposed with what interest his two youthful and affectionate nephews followed the history of his exploits; how their ardent spirits exulted in the renown he obtained in Rodney's action off Cape St.

Vincent, where the Monarch, outsailing all the fleet, bore the brunt of the engagement, disabling two line-of-battle ships and capturing a third; how they sympathized with the burning indignation expressed by him, when the Channel fleet was afterwards compelled to retreat before the French, and he himself could only "stand looking over the stern gallery of the Monarch," sea-sick as well as heart-sick through contending emotions of shame and vexation.

It was shortly after this, that Robert Haldane himself joined the Monarch, and remained in that ship until the spring of , when it was ordered to the West Indies, and Lord Duncan's health having previously severely suffered from the climate of the Havannah, he was persuaded to relinquish a tropical expedition for active service nearer home.

Haldane was accustomed, even in old age, to speak with something of youthful enthusiasm. It had been captured from the French, and was the finest ship in the British Navy. It was not only a: model -of naval architecture, but was gilt to the water's edge; whilst its height between decks was greater than that of the Brita;nnia of guns, which carried the flag of the renowned Admiral Barrington, to whose squadron it belonged.

He used to mention- that on visiting the Admiral, whose younger brother was the well-known Bishop of Durham, and whose elder brother had been one of his- father's guardians, he found himself obliged to stoop between decks of the flag-ship, whilst in the Foudroyant, although standing nearly six feet high, he was able to walk upright. But a short time after he joined the Foudroyant he was called to take part in the celebrated action with the PegAse, which was the foundation of all Lord St.

Vincent's great fame. It was a night;engagement. A French fleet of six sail-of-the-line were retreating before Admiral Barrington with twelve.

The chase began at noon on the 19th of April, and the Foudroyant, outsailing all the rest, and leaving them as if at anchor, singled out the Pegise at 10 at night, and at 47 minutes past 12, having run at the rate of eleven' knots an hour, brought her to close quarters.

The respective forces of the two ships were nearly equal; for although the British had six guns more than-the enemy, yet the latter had sixty more men, with a greater weight of metal, carrying forty-pounders on the lower decks, and a crew of seven hundred sailors. These particulars Mr. Haldane used to say had been omitted in narratives of the action, although Admiral Barrington's despatch mentions, in general terms, that the two combatants were in point of force nearly equal.

He often referred with pleasure to an instance of his gallant Commander's magnanimity. Just as the ships were about to open their'fire, the officer on the forecastle called out that the enemy had "put her helm up to rake. At that critical moment one of his midshipmen, —a friend of Mr. Haldane's, the gallant Bowen, who fell -by.

On the moment, this gallant young man, standing by the wheel, called out, "Port, port; if we put our helm to port, we shall rake her. The helm was brought to port; the broadside of the Foudroyant was poured into the Pegise; and when the smoke cleared off, Captain Jervis, in the enthusiasm of the moment, pulled off his hat on the quarter-deck; and turning to the young officer, exclaimed,-" Thanks, Bowen: you were right.

At one time, holding a lantern in his hand, he was seen directing the proper elevation of a gun. An old sailor warned him that he was making himself a mark for the enemy; but he indignantly repelled the admonition, telling his well-meaning and sensible adviser that, in the discharge of duty, he should disdain to think of personal danger. At one time the ships almost touched each other, and a gunner being asked why he did not withdraw the rammer, replied that he could not on account of the Frenchman.

The gun was discharged with the rammer undrawn. After the PegAse was laid on board, and had struck, the ships separated; and it blew so fresh, and there was so much sea, that it was with great difficulty and the loss of two boats that an officer and eighty men could be sent into the prize and bring off forty prisoners.

During the action, the watchful eye of the hero of St. Vincent had marked the zeal and gallantry of Robert Haldane, and he indicated his approval by appointing him to accompany one of the lieutenants who was going to take possession of the Pegase, with orders to bring back its commander, Le Chevalier Cillart.

There was another reason which prompted the selection. He had discovered Robert Haldane's talents and attainments, and often employed him as his amanuensis, and he was the only officer on board who understood French.

The duty assigned to him was discharged with characteristic courtesy, determination, and zeal. On boarding the Pegdse, he found the decks floated with blood, seven men lying dead at one gun. Having been conducted through this scene of slaughter to the Chevalier, he explained the nature of his orders, but the Frenchman protested. The necessity of the case was explained, the weakness of the captors in point of numbers as compared with the vanquished.

Still the captain demurred, when the lieutenant, who had charge of the prize, by drawing his sword added a very significant argument, which fully compensated for his inability to express himself in French.

The Chevalier then submitted, and was conducted safely to the Foudroyant, amidst murmurs which promised to bear in mind this treatment when he returned to France. After the action Sir John Jervis wrote to Captain Duncan, congratulating him on the determined spirit and ability of his nephew, and predicting that Robert Haldane would one day be an ornament to his country. This prediction was destined to be fulfilled in a manner far different from that which the hero of St.

Vincent then imagined. His renown was not to be won:on the quarter-deck of a British man-of-war, or amidst such: scenes of blood as those which had, for the first time, somewhat solemnized the exulting joy of the young warrior. But even then, amidst the satisfaction derived from the applause of the great officer under whom he served, there was one circumstance, the recollection of which interested his mind during the very last days of his mortal career, although sixty long years had elapsed.

He mentioned that, on that night, on going into action with the Pegse, when his heart beat high with ardent zeal, he breathed out an earnest prayer to God, that he might now be strengthened to discharge his duty as became a British sailor, in defence of his country. It was not that he then made any open profession of religion, or had any settled or abiding principle of godliness in his heart.

On the contrary, pride, ambition, the love of distinction, and other forms of wordliness, were all in the ascendant. But, beneath this heap of rubbish, there was still germinating in the hidden recesses of his inmost soul, the incorruptible seed, implanted by a mother's hand, and watered by a mother's prayers.

Invisible to mortal eye it there existed, and, on such an occasion as that of his going for the first time into battle, seemed like a spark of life ready to burst out, and make the gallant youth act not as a reckless unbeliever, but as a Christian hero.

After the return of the Foudroyant to Spithead, and during the. Bogue was a Scotch Pres, byterian minister, educated for the Established Church, who ultimately settled, in', at Gosport, where he continued until his death, in , the pastor of an Independent congregation, but still foremost, throughout the land, in all those great objects of Christian philanthropy, which marked the close of the eighteenth century.

Between and Gosport was the head-quarters of Lord Duncan. Till the peace of he was attached to the Channel Fleet, successively commanding the Monarch of 74, and the Blenheim of 90 guns, and chiefly cruising between Spithead and Gibraltar. After the peace, he commanded the Edgar guard-ship until he obtained his flag, in These circumstances are to be numbered amongst the providential links in the history of both the brothers.

It was thus, that they were both brought much into contact with Dr. Bogue, to whom they became much attached. They attended his ministry, and by him they were directed in their course of reading and in their choice of books, both on shore and at sea. Thus is it that the Lord is pleased to work out his designs of mercy and of love, in a way which we cannot comprehend, subordinating all the changes and chances of life to the purposes which he has foreordained, leading his dependent creatures by a way which they know not, until the mystery of God shall be accomplished, and the events which seemed only accidental, shall be seen to have been guided by the unerring hand of Infinite Wisdom.

During the summer of , Admiral Barrington's squadron was placed under the orders of Earl HOWE, whose duty it was to protect our shores and our commerce, menaced, as they were, on the one hand by the Dutch, and on the other by, the French and Spanish fleets. Towards the end of the summer preparations were made for a great expedition to relieve Gibraltar.

At this period, when the grand fleet lay at Spithead, Mr. Haldane was a witness of the loss of the Royal George, which lhappened on the 29th -of August, On the morning of that memorable day, soon after breakfast, he was looking through a telescope, watching, with interest, the operation of heeling over of the ship, when, on a sudden, it overset, filled, and sunk.

There were at least twelve,hundred souls on board, including women and children, and, in. Of those who went down not more than three hundred were rescued; and at Portsea and the Isle of Wight so many dead bodies were interred, that it is calculated that nine hundred must have perished. On the next Lord's-day, Dr. Bogue preached a sermon, which produced a deep and general impression, from Psalm xxxvi.

On the 11th of September following, Lord Howe sailed with thirty-four ships-of-the-line, besides frigates, and a great convoy of one hundred and forty transports, carrying troops, stores, and provisions. The relief of Gibraltar forms one of the most striking incidents in that memorable siege, in which the united resources of the Bourbons of France and Spain were vainly lavished, for the recovery of that celebrated fortress.

It was a great crisis, and it was generally believed that its reconquest would have ruined the influence of Britain to the eastward of the Pillars of Hercules, and given to her rivals the command of the Mediterranean. Lord Howe's fleet was greatly inferior to the enemy. But Mr. Haldane, in after-life, used often to dwell on the remarkable interposition of Providence, by which he believed that the disparity of force was, in some degree, neutralized, and the convoy enabled to land their supplies.

On the 10th of October a look-out frigate returned to Lord Howe, with the formidable intelligence that the combined fleets, anchored in. Algesiras Bay, consisted of fifty sail-of-the-line, besides frigates. On that night a sudden and violent tempest scattered and disabled the French and Spanish fleet, whilst the British rode secure- under the lee of the African mountains.

Several of the -enemy, including some three-deckers, were driven ashore, others were compelled to run' to the eastward, and all were, more or less, damaged; so that, when Captain Curtis arrived from General Elliott on the 12th, hewas enabled to inform the- Admiral, that there then remained in the bay only forty sail-of-the-line,' and three of 56 guns.

But this was not all. On the 13th the enemy put to sea, partly to protect. IIe cleared Europa point, and passed the night perfectly blecaclied; whilst Lord Howe being to the eastward of the rock, taking advantage of an easterly wind which sprung up, carried the convoy safe into Gibraltar, amidst the cheers and acclamations of the garrison. In the performance of this manceuvre the Foudroyant was the leading ship, and bore the chief part in the affair.

The gallant Earl's movement was no doubt masterly, but the storm which burst with fury on the combined fleets on the 10thl, and the calm which paralyzed them on the. To those who would banish the remembrance of God from their own hearts, and exclude the Almighty from the government of His own creation, such incidents will appear the result of accident, and a reference to an overruling Providence will provoke the smile of ridicule.

But to those who delight to trace the finger of God in the smallest as well as the greatest of human affairs, such facts will furnish in after-life, as they did to Mr. Haldane, fresh matter of grateful meditation on the character of Him, who is wonderful in working, who "holds the winds in his fist, and the waters in the hollow of his hands," and who does amongst the inhabitants of the earth according to htis own good pleasure.

An action did take place, in which the Foudroyant took part, and in which the British loss amounted to in killed and wounded. Sir John Jervis was much dissatisfied, and pacing the quarter-deck in great excitement, with his hat in his hand, continued to exclaim, " For shame! Lord Howe. Haldane used also to state, that in passing Lord Howe's orders for closer action from ship to ship, some mistake occurred, which caused them to haul.

In the morning the enemy did not choose to renew the combat. After this affair the fleet sailed for England, and an incident occurred which again discovered the young sailor's force of character. The Leocadia, a Spanish sixty-gun ship, was chased by the.

It was, however, when the Foudroyant was carrying a press of canvas in pursuit, that Robert Haldane was ordered to take his post on the fore-top-gallant mast, and remain on the look-out till recalled. The mast sprung, and as there was no order to descend, he expected at every blast to be hurled into the deep.

Another midshipman thought himself justified, under the circumstances, in retiring to a safer position. All these projects were financed solely by Haldane from the proceeds of his estate.

Scottish Congregationalism. The teaching at his seminaries contributed to the rapid growth of Congregationalism in Scotland at this time. The Congregational cause continued to flourish until around , when Robert, followed by his brother, sought to promote forms of worship in the churches which they regarded as most in line with apostolic practice. This included adopting a Baptistic position, a move which precipitated a huge upheaval in the new churches, resulting in a permanent rupture between them and the Haldanes.

Congregational churches then pursued an independent line, becoming self-supporting financially and continuing to advance the gospel in Scotland through itinerant evangelism. Despite this sad division, nothing can take away from the pivotal role played by Robert Haldane in promoting the cause of Congregationalism in Scotland.

But it does come rather as a shock that a well-motivated decision on his part should have such unhappy fallout. Life is indeed full of surprises! This article was first published in the Spring edition of Congregational Concern , magazine of the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches EFCC , and is here used with kind permission.

You must be logged in to post a comment. Haldane applied for the Edinburgh Chair of Mathematics which was at that time considered the most prestigious mathematics chair in Scotland. Wallace and Babbage were also applicants but Babbage stood little chance since he was an Englishman.

In the end it came down to a straight contest between Haldane and Wallace ; Wallace was appointed by 18 votes to Another position opened up, however.

The positions of principal of St Mary's College and professor of theology were not well paid and it was the custom that the holder of these positions was also minister at the Holy Trinity Church in South Street, St Andrews.

Haldane followed the custom and was appointed to the parish church. As principal of St Mary's College, Haldane came into conflict with Sir David Brewster, principal of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard [ 1 ] :- Brewster [ conducted a ] vendetta against Haldane, [ who put up a ] sturdy defence of his administration and financial management of his college.

Haldane did not publish a single item on mathematics. Described as a competent mathematician, Haldane was initially appointed to the chair of Mathematics at United College, St Andrews University in Also a theologian and minister he became the principal of St Marys College and minister of the parish church of St Andrews in A painter and a lithographer by training, David Octavius Hill is best remembered for the beauty of the calotypes he and Robert Adamson produced together.

Hill was a sociable and kind-hearted man who did much to support the arts in Scotland and between and he was the unpaid Secretary of