Robert Trail DD (1720–1775) was an 18th century Scottish minister who served as Professor of both Oriental Languages and Divinity at

Glasgow University , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

and as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1762.

Life

Trail was born in the small village of Benholme in

Kincardineshire Kincardineshire, also known as the Mearns (from the Scottish Gaelic meaning "the Stewartry"), is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area on the coast of northeast Scotland. It is bounded by Aberdeenshire on the north and ...

in 1720, the second son of Rev William Trail, the parish minister. He studied at

Edinburgh University The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted ...

and was licensed by the Presbytery of Brechin to preach as a minister of the Church of Scotland in August 1744.Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana by Hew Scott In April 1745, Trail was presented by the Crown to the congregation of Kettins. In January 1746 he was formally ordained, taking place at

Meigle Meigle ( gd, Mìgeil, ) is a village in Strathmore, Scotland. It lies in the council area of Perth and Kinross in the Coupar Angus and Meigle ward. It lies on the A94 road between Perth and Forfar. Other smaller settlements nearby are Balk ...

due to a mob assembling at Kettins. In December 1753 he translated from

Kettins Kettins is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland about northeast of Perth and northwest of Dundee. It is from Coupar Angus, north of the A923 road. Notable people * Robert Trail minister of the parish 1746 to 1753 * John Ker minister ...

to St Mary's Church in Banff (Banff Parish Church). In 1760

St Andrews University (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...

awarded him a Doctor of Divinity. In October 1761, Trail joined

Glasgow University , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

as Professor of Oriental Languages. On the promotion of William Leechman to Principal, a few weeks later, Trail was asked to fill his place as Professor of Divinity. In 1762, Trail succeeded the John Hyndman as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the highest position in the Scottish Church. He was succeeded in turn by William Robertson. Trail died in Glasgow on 17 October 1775. His position at Glasgow University was filled by Rev Dr James Baillie.

Family

In November 1747 he married Christian Thomson daughter of Rev Thomas Thomson of Auchtermuchty. No children are recorded.Fasti Ecclesiastae Scoticana vol.7 by Hew Scott

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trail, Robert 1720 births 1775 deaths Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Academics of the University of Glasgow