John Hunter (classicist)

Prof John Hunter FRSE LLD (1746-1837) was a Scottish classicist and horticulturalist. In 1783 he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[1]

Life

He was born in Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway on 7 September 1746. He was educated nearby at Wallace Hall School. He was then sent to Edinburgh University graduating MA in 1768.

His first role was as private secretary to Lord Monboddo. In 1775 he then accepted the role of Professor of Humanity at St Andrews University, continuing in this role until 1826. In 1826 (aged 80) he took on the role of Principal of the twin colleges of St Leonards and St Salvators at the university. [2]

Edinburgh University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD) in later life.

He died at St Andrews on 18 January 1837 and is buried in St Andrews Cathedral Churchyard.

Family

He married twice, firstly around 1770 to Elizabeth Miln who bore him a son, James Hunter (1772-1845).[3] He later married Margaret Hadow.

References

  1. ↑ BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF FORMER FELLOWS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 1783 – 2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  2. ↑ BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF FORMER FELLOWS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 1783 – 2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  3. ↑ http://www.ancestry.co.uk/genealogy/records/john-hunter_142070443
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