The lectures are composed of Observations on the truth of the Christian religion taken from the lectures of Dr L. at Glasgow, 1761, and Lectures on composition by the Reverend Mr. Leechman, 1770.
Lectures of William Leechman (1706-1785)
- For more information, email the repository
- Advice on accessing these materials
- Cite this description
- Bookmark:http://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb237-coll-408
- This material is held at
- ReferenceGB 237 Coll-408
- Dates of Creation1761-1770
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish.
- Physical Description2 manuscript volumes.
- LocationDc.7.86; Dc.8.119
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
William Leechman was born in 1706 at Dolphinton, Lanarkshire. He was educated at the local school until the Baillie family - in gratitude for the cutting down of the executed body of Baillie of Jerviswood (d. 1684) by Leechman's father - helped him to attend Edinburgh University and the study of Divinity. He graduated in 1724. He then became a tutor to James Geddes (died circa 1748) and to William Mure of Caldwell, Ayrshire. Leechman was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Paisley in 1731 and he was ordained Minister of Beith in 1736. In 1743 he was elected Professor of Divinty at Glasgow University. In 1744 the Presbytery of Glasgow accused him of making heretical statements in a sermon On the nature, reasonableness, and advantages of prayer (1743). In 1757, Leechman was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and in 1761 he was appointed Principal of Glasgow University. William Leechman died on 3 December 1785.
Access Information
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.
Note
The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of national biography.. London: Vol. 11. Kennett-Lluelyn, 1909.
Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.
Other Finding Aids
Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.
Accruals
Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.