Wallace Williamson Explained

Andrew Wallace Williamson KCVO,[1] (29 December 1856 – 10 July 1926) was a Church of Scotland minister who was Dean of the Thistle.[2] He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1913.

Life

He was born in Thornhill in Dumfriesshire on 29 December 1856, the youngest son of James Williamson and his wife Margaret Wallace.[3]

He was educated at Morton School and Wallace Hall then studied Divinity at the University of Edinburgh graduating MA in 1878.[4] He was licensed to preach as a Church of Scotland minister by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in 1881.

Beginning as an assistant at North Leith Parish Church on Madeira Street in north Edinburgh, he was ordained as full minister there in 1882. He was then translated to St Cuthbert's Church in central Edinburgh in 1883. This was as the collegiate minister alongside Rev James MacGregor in first charge. During this time he was also a lecturer in pastoral theology at his alma mater. He received the honorary degree Doctor of Divinity (DD) from the University of St Andrews in 1900.[5] In January 1910 he was appointed first minister at St Giles' Cathedral[6] and the following year Dean of the Thistle and Dean of the Chapel Royal. In 1913 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the highest position in the Scottish church.

In 1912 he was appointed Honorary Chaplain (Pontifex Maximus) of the Harveian Society of Edinburgh.[7] [8]

Williamson was largely responsible for co-ordinating the huge rebuilding project at St Cuthbert's by architect Hippolyte Blanc in 1892-4. This was partially funded by his predecessor Rev James Veitch. As a somewhat immodest part of the rebuilding he included a plaque to himself on the outer west face and to Rev James MacGregor the first charge minister balancing his memorial on the opposite side of the tower.

He lived at 44 Palmerston Place in Edinburgh's fashionable West End.[9]

An Honorary Chaplain to the King, he died on 10 July 1926[10] and is buried on the central path of the northern extension to Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh.[11] His position at St Cuthberts was filled by William Lyall Wilson.

His biography was written by Lord Sands.[12] [13]

His more noteworthy roles included conducting the funeral of Sir Hector MacDonald and being on the committee for the design and building of the Scottish National War Memorial.[14]

Family

Williamson married Agnes Blackstock, the daughter of Walter Blackstock, in 1883. They had no children. Blackstock died in 1885.[15] [16]

In 1888, Williamson married Elizabeth Mary Phoebe Croall,[17] the daughter of Robert Croall of Craigcrook Castle. They had two daughters and a son:

Publications

Notes and References

  1. News: . 24 February 1926 . 17; col D . 44204 . News in Brief.
  2. News: . 27 February 1926 . 12; col G . 44207 . Dean Of The Thistle.
  3. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; by Hew Scott
  4. “Who was Who” 1897–1990 London: A & C Black, 1991
  5. University intelligence . 26 February 1900 . 8 . 36075.
  6. Web site: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae : the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation. Hew. Scott. D. F. (Donald Farquhar). Macdonald. Finlay A. J.. Macdonald. 23 February 1915. Edinburgh : Oliver and Boyd. Internet Archive.
  7. Book: Minute Books of the Harveian Society. Library of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
  8. Book: Watson Wemyss, Herbert Lindesay. A Record of the Edinburgh Harveian Society. T&A Constable, Edinburgh. 1933. en.
  9. Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1911–12
  10. News: Dr. A. Wallace Williamson. A Great Preacher . . 12 July 1926 . 19; col A . 44321 .
  11. Web site: Wallace Williamson&grave=75343 Gravestone photos. gravestonephotos.com. 11 February 2018.
  12. Web site: Lord Sands ~ Politician, Lawyer, Church Advisor, and Educationalist | Made in Perth ~ Official Website ~ SC044155. madeinperth.org. 4 May 2014. 11 February 2018.
  13. https://www.rct.uk/collection/1190614/life-of-andrew-wallace-williamson-by-the-hon-lord-sands Royal Collection Trust, Life of Andrew Wallace Williamson / by the Hon. Lord Sands 1929
  14. Web site: Scottish National War Memorial | History. snwm.org. 11 February 2018.
  15. https://stainedglasstrustscotland.org.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-773-030-C Stained Glass Trust Scotland website, Edinburgh: St Cuthbert's Parish Church of Scotland: Apse
  16. https://womenofscotland.org.uk/memorials/inscription-elizabeth-mary-phoebe-croall-stained-glass-window-saint-andrew Women of Scotland website, Inscription by Elizabeth Mary Phoebe Croall on a Stained Glass Window to Saint Andrew
  17. https://womenofscotland.org.uk/women/elizabeth-mary-phoebe-croall Women of Scotland website, Elizabeth Mary Phoebe Croall
  18. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65477728-ideals-of-ministry GoodReads website, Ideals of Minstry
  19. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/andrew-wallace-williamson/4626435/ Thrift Books, Andrew Wallace Williamson

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