Alexander Brunton

Prof Very Rev Alexander Brunton DD FRSE FSA (2 October 1772 - 9 February 1854) was a Scottish minister in the Church of Scotland who rose to its highest rank, Moderator of the General Assembly in 1823. He was a noted academic, as Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages at the University of Edinburgh. He was married to the eminent author Mary Balfour.[1]

Alexander Brunton
(Painting by John Watson Gordon)
35 Albany St, Edinburgh
The grave of Rev Alexander Brunton and his wife Mary Balfour, Canongate Kirkyard

Life

He was born on 2 October 1772 in Edinburgh. He was educated at the High School, Edinburgh.

In 1797 he became minister of Bolton, East Lothian east of Edinburgh.

In 1798 he married the author Mary Balfour.

In 1803 he moved to New Greyfriars back in Edinburgh. In 1809 he moved to the Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile.

In 1813 he was made Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages at the University of Edinburgh serving in this role until 1847. The University appointed him University Librarian in 1822 and he served in this role until death. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity by the University in 1813.[2]

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1814.

In 1814 he is noted as sitting on the Committee of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, alongside Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey and Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn.[3]

In 1818 his wife Mary died during childbirth. The child was still-born. At this time they lived at 35 Albany Street in Edinburgh's New Town.[4]

He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1821.[5]

He died in Edinburgh on 9 February 1854. He is buried with Mary in the Canongate Kirkyard. The grave lies midway along the western boundary wall.

Artistic recognition

Brunton was sketched shaking hands with the Rev John Hunter by John Kay.[6]

References
  1. Bower, Alexander (1 January 1822). The Edinburgh Student's Guide: Or, An Account of the Classes of the University, Arranged Under the Four Faculties; with Adetail of what is Taught in Each. Waugh and Innes. p. 102. Retrieved 26 January 2017 – via Internet Archive. prof alexander brunton.
  2. "Former Fellows of The Royal Society of Edinburgh - 1783 – 2002" (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  3. Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society. The Society. 1825. p. 10.
  4. Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1818-19
  5. "MemberListB". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  6. "Scran ::: Portrait of Rev John Hunter and Prof Alexander Brunton". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
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