Letters of John Campbell (1794-1867)

The material is composed of: letter from Campbell at the office of The British banner in Fleet Street to Gilpin suggesting that he adopt his own course on a matter, and thanking him for his conduct towards Ewan Crichton; and from Campbell at The British banner to J. Silk Buckingham (1786-1855) observing that he has confidence in Buckingham's judgement, and offering advice about how a friends work might be published. There is also a letter to J. Wilks, 1834, a letter to the Rev. W. Bevan, 1841; and a letter to the Rev. J. Brimes about The British banner, 1853.

John Campbell was born in Forfar, Angus, on 5 October 1794. He was educated locally and then started a blacksmith apprenticeship. In 1818 however he went to St. Andrews University, and later to Glasgow University, and then was ordained. He worked in a parish in Ayrshire and then moved to the Tabernacle, Moorfields, London where he stayed until the early 1840s when he turned to writing. Earlier, in 1839, he was involved in a press controversy with the Royal printers over Bible monopoly, and the letters were published in a volume. In 1844 he established the Christian witness and then in 1846 the Christian penny magazine. In 1849 he started The British banner, a weekly newspaper, and then later on The British ensign. Campbell was an opponent of Roman Catholicism and ritualism. The Rev. John Campbell died on 26 March 1867.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Material purchased among miscellaneous letters of Scottish interest, E. Hall, 1976, Accession no. E76.32.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Stephen, Leslie. and Lee, Sidney (eds.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol. 3. Brown-Chaloner. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1908.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

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.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.