Papers of Rev. John Anderson (1668-1721)

The material is composed of: correspondence in typescript; a diary from 1 January 1705 to 25 March 1705, in typescript, transcribed from the original manuscript, 1910; The history of the introducing the usage of the Lord's Prayer in Dumbarton, 1705, from an unpublished manuscript account; and, records of the Rev. John Anderson, transcribed from documents by A. Whitford Anderson, 1913, in typescript

The theologian John Anderson was born in 1668. He was tutor to John, Duke of Argyll and Greenwich. Anderson became Minister of Dumbarton in 1698 and was involved in the battle lines drawn around Episcopacy and Presbyterianism. At the time there was a great deal of worry among the Presbyterian clergy in connection with the use of the English liturgy in Episcopalian congregations. In 1720 he was appointed Minister of the Ramshorn Church (later St. David's) in Glasgow. His published works included A dialogue between a curate and a countryman (1710), The second dialogue between the curate and the countryman respecting the English service (1711), and then The countryman's letter to the curate, wherein, besides an historical view of the English Liturgy, the assertions of Sage, the author of the Fundamental Character of Presbytery, concerning its universal usage in Scotland at the time of the Reformation ... are examined and proved to be false, and also Defence of the Church government, faith, worship, and spirit of the Presbyterians (1714). The Rev. John Anderson died in 1721.

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

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

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

Local lists.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The local Indexes at New College also show reference to other A. Whitford Anderson material (check the Indexes for more details): general index to the four volumes of transcripts of the papers (of the Rev. John Anderson), circa 130 leaves; and, records of a Scots parish and its minister, 1670-1721 (John Anderson of Dumbarton). Material at MSS ANDE. 1-2.