Donald Macpherson Baillie (1887-1954) was Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of St Andrews from 1934 to 1954, and an internationally renowned theologian. The obituary in the University's Alumnus Chronicle refers to him as 'one of the most distinguished scholars and the best beloved teacher in our University'.
He was born in the Free Church Manse, Gairloch, on 5 November 1887, a younger son of the Rev. John Baillie of Gairloch (1829-1891) and Annie Macpherson who had been married in 1885. He was educated at Inverness Royal Academy, and then studied at Edinburgh University where he followed an Arts course, 1905-1909. He was a Medallist in Ordinary and Honours Classes of Logic and Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy. He graduated M.A. with First Class Honours in Mental Philosophy, 1909. He also studied at New College, Edinburgh, and at Marburg and Heidelberg. From 1911 until 1914, he was Assistant to the Professor of Moral Philosophy. After his ordination in 1918 he was Minister of Bervie United Free Church, 1918-1923, and then of St. John's, Cupar, 1923-1930, and St. Columba's, Kilmacolm, 1930-1934. In 1934, Donald Macpherson Baillie became Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of St. Andrews. He died in post on 31 October 1954.
His best-known works are: God was in Christ, (London, 1948), J. Baillie (ed.), The Theology of the Sacraments, (London, 1957), The Christian faith in outline, by Friedrich Schleiermacher, translated from the German with the two editions on opposite pages by D. M. Baillie (Edinburgh, 1922), Faith in God and its Christian consummation: the Kerr lectures for 1926, (Edinburgh, 1927), I believe in God, (Edinburgh, 1937), Intercommunion: report of a Theological Commission of Faith and Order, (London 1951), The meaning of the Holy Communion, (Glasgow, [1948]), Out of Nazareth: a selection of sermons and lectures by Donald M. Baillie, (Edinburgh, 1958).
