Background
Andrew Findlater was born near Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, the son of a small farmer.
Andrew Findlater was born near Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, the son of a small farmer.
By hard study in the evening, after his days work on the farm was finished, Andrew Findlater qualified himself for entrance at the University of Aberdeen, and after graduating as Master of Arts he attended the Divinity classes with the idea of entering the ministry.
In 1853 Andrew Findlater began to connect with the firm of W. & R. Chambers which gave direction to his subsequent activity. His first engagement was the editing of a revised edition of their information for the People (1857). This work occupied him till 1868, and he afterwards edited a revised edition (1874). He also had charge of other publications for the same firm, and wrote regularly for the Scotsman. In 1864 he was made LL. D. of Aberdeen University. In 1877 he gave up active work for Chambers, but his services were retained as consulting editor.