Charles Findlater

Charles Findlater

Charles Findlater (1754-1838), was a Scottish agricultural writer and essayist.

Findlater was born 10 January 1754 in the manse of West Linton, Peeblesshire. His grandfather, Alexander Findlater, was from Moray, and married into the famous Scottish family, . Thomas (1697-1778), his son, was minister of West Linton, but his settlement there in 1729 was resolutely opposed by certain of the parishioners, and led to the rise of a secessionist congregation, which still survives. Charles was son by his second wife, Jean, daughter of William Brown, an Edinburgh bookseller. He graduated at Edinburgh University 14 November 1770. In 1777 he was ordained assistant to his father, and in 1790 was presented by the Duke of Queensberry to the neighbouring parish, Newlands, where he lived until 1835, and then retiring from duty, died at Glasgow 28 May 1838, aged 84. His appointment at Newlands, like his father's at West Linton, was opposed, and led to the establishment of a seceding congregation, which yet exists. He married (26 July 1791) Janet Hay Russell (who was accidentally burnt to death in 1828). He was father of the synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, and was buried at Newlands. A marble bust of him, executed at the cost of many admirers, is in the .

Himself of the moderate theological school, Findlater's liberal opinions and neglect of conventionalities, united with much kindness of heart and intellectual power, marked him among his brother clergy. The cordiality of his friendship and correctness of his life were universally acknowledged. He established one of the first local savings banks, and used to carry his account-book for it regularly with him on his pastoral visitations. He would sing a song at a cottar's wedding, and on many wintry Sundays gather his congregation round him in his kitchen and give them dinner afterwards.

Findlater's books show him to have been well read in moral and political economy. He published:

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Findlater, Charles". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885-1900.

Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Findlater