David Bogue Lecture Notes

The manuscripts comprise three volumes of lectures on theological subjects, including sacred geography and missionary studies. The third volume is inscribed as being a course of lectures on missionary life delivered by Dr Bogue to students at Gosport Theological Academy.

David Bogue was born at Hallydown, Berwickshire, on February 18th 1750, the fourth son of John Bogue, laird of Hallydown. He was educated at Eyemouth parish school, and went on to study for the ministry at Edinburgh University.

After leaving Edinburgh, Bogue was licensed as a preacher. He became the minister of a Congregational chapel at Gosport, and also worked as a tutor at the local Theological Academy for the training of Congregational preachers. It was from his work here that his ideas on foreign missions grew, which resulted in his establishment of the London Missionary Society. He was also involved in the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Religious Tract Society.

Bogue published many popular tracts, including 'Reasons for Seeking a Repeal of the Test Acts' in 1790. His 'An Essay on the Divine Authority of the New Testament' was translated into several languages, and in 1809 he edited a volume of the sermons of Rev Dr Grasomer. That same year, together with Dr James Bennett, he produced a 'History of the Dissenters from the Revolution of 1689 to the year 1808', which was re-issued and enlarged in both 1812 and 1833. In 1815 he was awarded a Doctorate in Divinity from Yale College, Connecticut, USA. Bogue was well known in Britain for his annual preaching tour on behalf of the London Missionary Society. It was on one of these tours that he was suddenly taken ill, and he died on October 25th 1825.

The papers may be consulted through application to Peter Hopkins, Curator, Roderic Bowen Library and Archives, Trinity Saint David, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED. Tel 01570 424716, email: rodericbowenlibrary@tsd.ac.uk

The manuscripts were donated to the library of St. David's College, Lampeter by Thomas Phillips.

Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist, with reference to the Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1885-1900).

See the Provisional Handlist to the Post-Medieval Manuscripts at the Founders' Library, University of Wales, Lampeter.

Further papers, manuscripts and lecture notes of Dr David Bogue are held at New College Library, Edinburgh University.