George Baird | |
|---|---|
 Bust of George Husband Baird, c.1830,Old College, University of Edinburgh | |
| Born | 13 July 1761 Bo'ness,West Lothian, Scotland |
| Died | 14 January 1840(1840-01-14) (aged 78) |
| Education | Edinburgh University |
| Spouse | Isabella |
| Children | Marion (daughter) |
| Church | Church of Scotland |
| Ordained | 1787 |
George Husband BairdFRSEFSAScot (13 July 1761 – 14 January 1840)[1] was a Scottishminister, educational reformer, linguist and thePrincipal of the University of Edinburgh from 1793 to 1840. In 1800 he served asModerator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly.
Baird was born in 1761 at Inveravon Farm in the parish ofBo'ness inWest Lothian. His father, James Baird, a landowner inStirlingshire, at that time rented this farm from theDuke of Hamilton. Baird attended the parish school inBo'ness, before being sent to the grammar school atLinlithgow. At age 12, Baird enteredEdinburgh University as a student inhumanities (Latin and Greek). There he made some independent linguistic researches, withJames Finlayson andJosiah Walker.[2]
To pay for his university studies he became tutor to the family of Colonel Blair of Blair in 1784. He was licensed to preach as aChurch of Scotland minister in 1786 by the Presbytery ofLinlithgow. He graduated MA from Edinburgh University in March 1787 aged 25.[3]
Baird was ordained minister ofDunkeld in April 1787, soon after his graduation. In 1789 he declined an offer ofLady Yester's Church in Edinburgh but accepted the offer ofNew Greyfriars, Edinburgh in 1792 (withRev John Erskine in the linked church of Old Greyfriars). In the same year he became JointProfessor of Hebrew and Semitic Languages inUniversity of Edinburgh. In 1793, aged 33, he was appointedPrincipal of the University, and served in this role until 1840.[4][5]
In 1799 he translated from Greyfriars to theNew (West) Kirk in St Giles.[3]
His election to a prominent position was said to be a result of the influence of his father-in-law,Thomas Elder of Forneth, theLord Provost of Edinburgh,[4] whose eldest daughter had married Baird some years previously. It is reputed to have been jocularly said that Baird's chief claim to the Principalship was as "Husband" of the Lord Provost's daughter.[4] Nevertheless, Baird held the Principalship for the long period of 47 years. The number of students at the University increased from 1,000 to 2,000 while he held this position and the Old College buildings were completed. In 1810, before these new buildings were built, it was reported that 24 professors shared 11 rooms and two professors had to teach by candlelight even in the middle of the day.[6]
In his parallel career in the ministry in 1801 Baird moved from New (West) Parish to the High Kirk parish still within St Giles (it contained four parishes at this time).[3]
In 1800, Baird was elected asModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.[7] Baird was the founder and first convenor of the Highlands and Islands committee of the General Assembly. While on this committee he got the General assembly to agree to his project to educate the poor people in the highlands and islands of Scotland - in particular the Celts.[6]
Towards the close of his life, Baird put much effort into a scheme for the education of the poor in theHighlands and Islands of Scotland. He submitted his proposals to theGeneral Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 1824.[4] Next year the Assembly gave its sanction to the scheme, and it was launched.[citation needed]
Through his influenceAndrew Bell, ofMadras, bequeathed £5000 for education in the Highlands of Scotland.[citation needed]
Baird was also known as a correspondent of the Scottish poetRobert Burns.[7]
After his wife Isabella's death, Baird lived with his daughter Marion and son-in-law Isaac Bayley (1797-1873) at 13Regent Terrace (note - the Post Office Directory states 12 Regent Terrace[8]), Edinburgh from 1827.[6] He died there in 1840, and is buried a short distance from the house, atNew Calton Cemetery.
A memorial also exists near his family property at Manuel near Linlithgow, inMuiravonside Churchyard.
In August 1792 he married Isabella Elder eldest daughter of Thomas Elder the Lord Provost of the city. They had children:
| Preceded by | Edinburgh University Principals 1793–1840 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 1799 | Succeeded by |
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