Robert Wallace (24 June 1831 – 6 June 1899) was a British writer who had a varied career as a classics teacher, minister, university professor, newspaper editor, barrister, and finally a Member of Parliament for Edinburgh East.
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Personal life and education
Wallace was born on 24 June 1831 at Kincaple near St. Andrews, Fife, and was the second son of Jasper Wallace, a gardener, and Elizabeth Archibald. He was educated at the Geddes Institution, Culross, Fife, and at the University of St. Andrews where he graduated with an M.A. in 1853.
Career
Wallace was appointed classical master at Cupar Academy in 1854, shortly after graduating from university. In July 1857, he was licensed as a minister by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and he was ordained at Newton-on-Ayr Church of Scotland in December.
Three years later, Wallace transferred to Trinity Parish Church, Edinburgh, before transferring again in December 1868, to Old Greyfriars, Edinburgh. While he was minister at Old Greyfriars Church he was involved in attempts to reform and modernise the Church of Scotland. As a result, his fitness to be a minister was questioned and presumably this controversy influenced his decision to leave the clerical profession in August 1876. He was awarded the honorary doctorate of D.D. by Glasgow University in 1869. He was created Professor of Church History at Edinburgh University in 1872. At this time, he lived at 17 Gayfield Square at the top of Leith Walk.
After leaving his clerical role, Wallace was appointed editor of The Scotsman newspaper, a position he held until November 1880. In November 1883 he studied law and called the English Bar at the Middle Temple, London.
Wallace was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the Edinburgh East in the 1886 election and remained so till his death.
He died in London on 6 June 1899.
Family
On 10 March 1858 he married Margaret Robertson (died 1898) daughter of James Robertson of Cupar in Fife. They had six sons and one daughter:
Robert Lamb Wallace (1858-1894) barrister
James Robertson Wallace MD (born 1860)
William John Wallace (1861-1862)
Patrick Robertson Wallace (born 1862)
Archibald Duncan Wallace (born 1864) died in infancy
Maggie Ireland Wallace (born 1866) married Alfred Gray of London
Arthur Stanley Jowett Wallace (born 1872) died in infancy
Alfred Campbell Wallace (1875-1911) actor
Publications
Church Tendencies in Scotland. Edinburgh: Recess Studies, 1870.
The Study of Ecclesiastical History, in its Relation to Church Theology: an inaugural address delivered in the University of Edinburgh, 18 November 1873. Edinburgh: William P. Nimmo, 1873.
Irish Usurpation in British Politics: a Speech. London : Temple, [1893].
George Buchanan, (completed by J. Campbell Smith). Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1900, ("Famous Scots Series").