Robert Wallace

Robert Wallace (24 June 1831 – 6 June 1899) was a Scottish writer who had a varied career as a classics teacher, minister, university professor, newspaper editor, barrister and finally a Member of Parliament for Edinburgh East.

Personal life and education

Wallace was born on 24 June 1831 at Kincaple near St. Andrews, Fife, and was the second son of Jasper Wallace, a gardener, and Elizabeth Archibald. He was educated at the Geddes Institution, Culross, Fife, and at the University of St. Andrews where he graduated M.A. in 1853. He was awarded the degree of D.D. by Glasgow University in 1869.

He married Margaret Robertson (died 1898) on 10 March 1858 and they had six sons and one daughter. He died in London on 6 June 1899.

Career

Wallace was appointed classical master at Cupar Academy in 1854, shortly after graduating from university. In July 1857 he was licensed as a minister by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and he was ordained at Newton-on-Ayr Church of Scotland in December.

Three years later Wallace transferred to Trinity Parish Church, Edinburgh, before transferring again in December 1868, to Old Greyfriars, Edinburgh. While he was minister at Old Greyfriars Church he was involved in attempts to reform and modernise the Church of Scotland. As a result, his fitness to be a minister was questioned and presumably this controversy influenced his decision to leave the clerical profession in August 1876.

After leaving his clerical role Wallace was appointed editor of The Scotsman newspaper, a position he held until November 1880. In November 1883 he studied law and called the English Bar at the Middle Temple, London.

Wallace was elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for the Edinburgh East in the 1886 election and remained so till his death in 1899.

Publications

• Church Tendencies in Scotland. Edinburgh: Recess Studies, 1870.
• The Study of Ecclesiastical History, in its Relation to Church Theology: an inaugural address delivered in the University of Edinburgh, 18 November 1873. Edinburgh: William P. Nimmo, 1873.
• Irish Usurpation in British Politics: a Speech. London : Temple, [1893].
• George Buchanan, (completed by J. Campbell Smith). Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1900, ("Famous Scots Series").

Sources

• Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: the Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation, edited by Hew Scott, D.D., Volume I, The Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1915, pp. 43–44.
• Who Was Who entry, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007 [1]
• Robert Wallace: Life and Last Leaves. Edited by J. Campbell Smith and William Wallace. London: Sands & Co., 1903. (William Wallace was the brother of Robert Wallace.)
• Library catalogues at www.worldcat.org