Background
James Buchanan was born in Paisley on 14 April 1804 as the son of a wine merchant. In 1829 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Cochrane, a Glasgow merchant. They had a son and a daughter before her early death in May 1832.
James Buchanan was born in Paisley on 14 April 1804 as the son of a wine merchant. In 1829 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Cochrane, a Glasgow merchant. They had a son and a daughter before her early death in May 1832.
In 1845, he was appointed professor of apologetics at the New College of the Free Church in Edinburgh, and succeeded Thomas Chalmers as professor of systematic theology in 1847, which he held until 1868. He died on 19 April 1870 at 51 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. He is buried in the north-east section of the Grange Cemetery.