Robert Henry

Robert Henry (February 18, 1718 - November 24, 1790) was a Scottish historian.

Born into a farming family at St. Ninians, Stirlingshire, Henry was educated at Stirling High School and the University of Edinburgh. After teaching at Annan, he entered the Church of Scotland, becoming minister at New Greyfriars in Edinburgh in 1768. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1774.

He wrote the "History of Great Britain on a New Plan" (1771-93), in 6 volumes, covering the period from the Roman invasion until the reign of King Henry VIII. The novelty consisted in dividing the subjects into different heads, civil history, military, social, and so on, and following out each of them separately. The work was mainly a compilation, having no critical qualities. Despite the persistent and ferocious attacks of Dr. Gilbert Stewart, it was highly successful, and brought the author over £3000. It attracted the support of the Earl of Mansfield, whose persuasion gained for Henry a government pension of £100.

References

* [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire/ "The History of Stirlingshire" by William Nimmo, revised by W. M. Stirling and R. Gillespie, 1880]