Papers of and relating to Reverend John Skinner of Linshart (1721 - 1807)

Manuscripts by or relating to Rev. John Skinner of Linshart (1721 - 1807), Episcopal minister at Longside, Aberdeenshire, with printed copies of his songs and related biographical material. The collection comprises letter from Rev. W. Jones, Fenedon, to Rev. J. Skinner describing and commenting upon the ideas of Christopher Simpson (d 1669), concerning the Theory of Music and the Doctrine of the Trinity in Unity, as published in The Divine Violin (sic. Recte Violist, 1659), 20 Jan 1751; texts of 5 sermons in unknown hands, originally delivered [?by Skinner] before 1800, with annotations showing dates of subsequent deliveries, 1793 - 1845; Copies of poems by the author of Tullochgorum (i.e. Rev. John Skinner (1721 - 1807)), n.d.; 2 copies of Amusements of Leisure Hours; or, Poetical Pieces Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by the late Reverend John Skinner (Edinburgh, 1809); Rev. William Walker, The Life and Times of the Rev. John Skinner (London, 1883); and photostat copies of newspaper articles about John Skinner, Bishop Skinner and related topics, 1940s and n.d.

Rev. John Skinner of Linshart (1721 - 1807) graduated from Marischal College, Aberdeen in 1838. Brought up as a Presbyterian, he joined the Episcopalian Church at aged 19, and was ordained and appointed to the Episcopalian congregation of Longside, Aberdeenshire, in 1742, where he remained until his death in 1807. A committed and outspoken member of the Church, he was imprisoned for 6 months in 1753, for defying the 1748 Penal Act against the Episcopalian Church of Scotland, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century became involved in training many Aberdeenshire and Brechin clergy for the ministry. His writing, in Latin, English and Scots, earned him widespread popular and critical acclaim. His best known works are An Ecclesiastical History of Scotland (London, 1788) and Tullochgorum. His second son, John Skinner (1744 - 1816), Bishop of Aberdeen, 1782 - 1816, and Primus of the Episcopalian Church in Scotland, 1788 - 1816, was a leading figure in the recovery of the Church after the troubles of the eighteenth century.

For further details see the entry for Skinner by G.N. Pennie in Dictionary of Scottish Church History and Theology, ed. by Nigel M. de S. Cameron (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1993), pp 777 - 778 (from which this administrative history was compiled); John Skinner, Theological Works of the late John Skinner, Episcopal Clergyman in Longside, Aberdeenshire: to which is prefixed, a biographical memoir of the author (Aberdeen: Chalmers, 1809); William Walker, The Life and Times of the Rev. John Skinner (London, 1883); and Tullochgorum's Memory: Tributes in Longside and London Worthy of his Work and Character (n.p.: n.pub., 1921).

None observed

Open, subject to signature accepting conditions of use at reader registration sheet

Deposited in the University in May 1986, by Mr Robert John Paul, a descendant of Reverend Skinner.

Descriptive list available in the Reading Room, Special Libraries and Archives, University of Aberdeen (e-mail: speclib@abdn.ac.uk)

Very brief collection level description available on Aberdeen University Library Catalogue, accessible online http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/library/

No copies known

Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation.

Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Head of Special Libraries and Archives (e-mail: speclib@abdn.ac.uk) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

This material has been appraised in line with normal procedures

No accruals expected

Letter from John Skinner (1721-1807), Bishop of Aberdeen, to Mr Low, London, 1787 April 12 (GB 231 MS 2157) Letter from John Skinner (1721-1807), Bishop of Aberdeen, to Mr Low, London, 1787 April 12 (GB 231 MS 2157) Watson, Archibald, Biographical essay on the life and poetry of John Skinner (1721-1807)(G 0231 MS 0933)(G 0231 MS 0933)Records of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, Aberdeen and Orkney Diocese, 1600-1980 (GB 231 MS 3320)Records of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, Aberdeen and Orkney Diocese, 1600-1980 (GB 231 MS 3320)Collection of manuscripts from library of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, 1665-1907 (GB 231 MS 3337)

No known publications using this material

This material is original