Gilbert Gerard (theological writer)

Gilbert Gerard (1760–1815) was a Scottish theological writer. The son of Alexander Gerard (1728–1795), he became the minister of the Scots Church, Amsterdam. He was professor of Greek at King's College, Aberdeen, 1791, and of divinity, 1795. In 1803 he was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.[1]

Life

The son of Very Rev Alexander Gerard, D.D., he was born at Aberdeen 12 August 1760, and studied at Aberdeen and Edinburgh. On being licensed he became minister of the English Reformed church at Amsterdam, and during his time there studied modern languages and literature, contributing to the Analytical Review. In 1791 he returned to Aberdeen to occupy the chair of Greek in King's College.[2]

On his father's death, in 1795, Gerard succeeded him in the chair of divinity, and in 1811 he added to his professorship the second charge in the collegiate church of Old Aberdeen. He was a king's chaplain, and filled the chair of the general assembly in 1803. He became minister of Old Machar 19 September 1811, and died 28 September 1815.[2]

Bibliography

• Institutes of Biblical Criticism (Edinburgh, 1808)[2]
• Compendious View of the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion (1828) by Alexander and Gilbert Gerard, based on their divinity lectures.[2]

Family

Gerard married, on 3 October 1787, Helen, daughter of John Duncan, provost of Aberdeen, by whom he had six sons and five daughters. Three of the sons, Alexander, James Gilbert, and Patrick, were known as explorers in India.[2]

References

1. Lee, Sidney (1903), Dictionary of National Biography Index and Epitome p. 488. (see also main article xxi 220)
2. Stephen, Leslie; Lee, Sidney, eds. (1890). "Gerard, Gilbert (1760-1815)" . Dictionary of National Biography. 21. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Gerard, Gilbert (1760-1815)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.