James Robertson

James Robertson FRSE (1803–1860) was a Scottish minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He was also a noted chemist.

Life

He was born on 2 January 1803 at Ardlaw Farm near Old Pitsligo in Aberdeenshire, the son of Barbara Anderson and her husband, William Robertson, farmer. He was educated at Pitsligo and Tyrie parish schools. He then studied mathematics at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with an MA in 1820. In 1821 he began studying divinity and graduated a second time in 1825. Ordained to preach by the Church of Scotland he began preaching at Deer, Aberdeenshire in July 1825. He also ran a village school in Pitsligo.

In 1826 Robertson began tutoring the family of the Duke of Gordon at Gordon Castle. From this he was appointed as headmaster at Gordons Hospital in Aberdeen. The Duke also further organised for his being made minister of the parish of Ellon in 1832.

Robertson died at home, 25 Ainslie Place in Edinburgh's West End on 2 December 1860. He is buried in St Cuthbert's Churchyard off Princes Street.

His biography was written by Archibald Charteris.