Background
He was born in Edinburgh, but spent his early youth at Dalmeny, where his father was for factor to the Earl of Rosebery. His mother was Mary Fyfe, of a Banffshire family.
He was born in Edinburgh, but spent his early youth at Dalmeny, where his father was for factor to the Earl of Rosebery. His mother was Mary Fyfe, of a Banffshire family.
University of Edinburgh.
After taking the course at Edinburgh University in arts and theology, he was in 1842 ordained assistant and successor to John M. Robertson, minister of Livingston, Linlithgowshire. At the disruption of 1843 he withdrew from the establishment, joined the newly formed Free Church, and for a time continued his ministry in the same parish. Failing health, together with a reluctance to appear in public, caused him to resign his charge.
In 1850 he was appointed librarian in New College, Edinburgh, where his researches into bibliography began.
He died 3 April 1880.