Prof. Robert Rainy


1826 - 1906

Robert Rainy
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Robert Rainy

Clergyman and ecclesiastical statesman. Born in Glasgow, Rainy was educated at the University in that city, where his father had been Professor of Forensic Medicine. Having become absorbed by the fervour of the Disruption (1843), Rainy completed his education at the Free Church's New College in Edinburgh, graduating in 1848, and set his path on the ministry. He took a charge in Aberdeen (1851) and then the Free High Church in Edinburgh (1854) and was appointed Professor of Church History in New College in 1862. He became Principal of the College in 1874 and having organised the merger of the Free and United Presbyterian Churches in 1900, he retired to become the first Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland.

His works include The Bible and Criticism (1878), The Epistle to the Philippians (1893) and The Ancient Catholic Church (1902).

He died in Melbourne (Australia) and is remembered in the Rainy Hall, the New College refectory.


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