About William Lorimer
Lived 1885 – 1967 (aged 81). William Lorimer was a British lexicographer, linguist, translator and bible translator.
William Laughton Lorimer, FBA (1885–1967) was a Scottish scholar. Born at Strathmartine on the outskirts of Dundee, he was educated at the High School of Dundee, Fettes College, and Trinity College, Oxford. He is best known for the translation of the New Testament into Scots.
Lorimer spent his professional life as a scholar of Ancient Greek at various universities, ending his career as Professor of Greek at the University of St Andrews. However he also had a lifelong interest in the Scots language and besides the translation, was a longtime contributor to the Scottish National Dictionary. For the last ten years of his life he worked on translating the New Testament from the original Greek sources into Scots. Although he did not finish the final revision of his translation, the work was completed by his son Robin and published posthumously on his behalf in 1983.
He was also the literary executor of fellow classicist John Burnet (1863–1928).
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in William Lorimer's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Lorimer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Lorimer?
Scottish classicist (1885-1967)
When was William Lorimer born?
William Lorimer was born on 27 June 1885 in Angus.
When did William Lorimer die?
William Lorimer died on 27 May 1967.
What was William Lorimer's occupation?
William Lorimer was a lexicographer, linguist, translator and bible translator.
What nationality was William Lorimer?
William Lorimer was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Lorimer (scholar)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Lorimer. https://biography.guide/william-lorimer/
MLA: "William Lorimer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-lorimer/.
Chicago: "William Lorimer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-lorimer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:31 UTC