Robert Elder (minister)

He was born in Inverary on 28 July 1808, the son of John Elder, Comptroller of Customs, and his wife, Euphemia Beith.[1] The family moved to Campbeltown while he was young and he was educated at Campbeltown Grammar School.[2]

He studied Divinity at Glasgow University graduating MA in 1825 and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Kintyre in November 1829.[3]

He was ordained by the Church of Scotland at Kilbrandon in March 1831. He was translated to Killin in 1834, and in 1838 to St Paul's on Jeffrey Street in Edinburgh.[4]

He left the established church in the Disruption of 1843 creating Free St Paul's Church in Edinburgh and moved to the Free West Church in Rothesay on the isle of Bute in 1847. In 1871 he succeeded the Rev John Wilson as Moderator of the General Assembly, the highest position in the Free Church. He was succeeded in turn in 1872 by Rev Charles John Brown.[4]

Glasgow University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1871.[5]

He retired to 1 Admiral Terrace in Edinburgh in 1882.[6]

He died in Edinburgh on 30 March 1892. He is buried in the East Preston Street Burial Ground.[7]

In April 1838 he married Margaret Robson (1807-1901) daughter of John Robson of Oban.[8]

They had at least four daughters, two of which married Free Church ministers. His son John Robson Elder, was also a Free Church minister.

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