Biography of James Robertson

James Robertson (1840-1920) was Professor of Oriental Languages, 1877 to 1907, and in 1880 founded the Glasgow University Oriental Society. He was awarded an LLD in 1910 and he left his collection of 929 books on Oriental languages, literature and history to the University.

Robertson was a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen and St Andrews who was a Church of Scotland missionary in Constantinople and Beirut before becoming a minister in Edinburgh. During his tenure of the Chair, its name was changed from "Oriental" to Hebrew and Semitic Languages and the range of subjects taught in the department was greatly extended.

His son, William Robertson, was a medical graduate of the University of Glasgow.

Summary

James Robertson
Bible Scholar
Born 1840.
Died 1920.
GU Degree: LLD, 1910;
University Link: Professor
Occupation categories: clergy; missionaries
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P165412
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English snippet: Professor of Oriental Languages at the University of Glasgow from 1877 to 1907
Record last updated: 13th Jun 2013

Country Associations

Lebanon, Beirut

Scotland, No Region

Turkey, Istanbul

University Connections

University Roles

• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Hebrew and Semitic Languages

Buildings

• The Square, 7