George Husband Baird

George Husband Baird (1761 - 1840) was a Church of Scotland minister, educational reformer and the Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1793 to 1840.

Early life

Baird was born in 1761 in the Parish of Borrowstounness (usually now abbreviated to Bo'ness) in Scotland. His father, James Baird, while a considerable proprietor in the county of Stirling, at that time rented this farm from the Duke of Hamilton. Baird attended the Parish School of Borrowstounness, before being sent to the Grammar School at Linlithgow. When he was aged 13, he entered as a student in Humanities at Edinburgh University.

Career

Baird was ordained minister of Dunkeld in 1787, and was appointed minister of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh in 1792. In the same year he became Joint Professor of Oriental Languages in Edinburgh University, before being appointed Principal of Edinburgh University one year later at the early age of thirty-three.cite web | author= bairdnet.com | year=2006 | title= Baird Biographies - Scotland | format=html | url=http://www.bairdnet.com/biography/scotland.html| accessdate=2006-11-04] .

His election to a prominent position was said to be a result of the influence of his father-in-law, Thomas Elder of Forneth, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh., 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. Nevertheless Baird held the Principalship for the long period of forty-seven years.

In 1800, Baird was chosen as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.cite web | author= The Burns Encyclopedia | year=2006 | title= George Husband Baird | format=html | url=http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/BairdTheReverendGeorgeHusband1761-1840.73.shtml| accessdate=2006-11-04]

Later Years

Towards the close of his life, Baird put much effort into a scheme for the education of the poor in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. He submitted his proposals to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 1824. Next year the Assembly gave its sanction to the scheme, and it was launched most auspiciously. So intense was his interest in this work that in his sixty-seventh year, although in enfeebled health, he made frequent trips to many Highland destinations.

Through his influence Dr. Andrew Bell, of Madras, bequeathed £5000 for education in the Highlands of Scotland.

Baird was also known as a correspondent of the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Baird died 1840 at his family property at Manuel, and is buried in Muiravonside Churchyard.

Trivia

* Baird House in Pollock Halls of Residence is named after him.

ee also

* University of Edinburgh
* Pollock Halls of Residence
* List of Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
* Greyfriars Kirk

External links

* [http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?search=as&occ=17%3BEducation&lDate=&LinkID=mp67236 Portrait of Baird in the National Portrait Gallery]
* [http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/BairdTheReverendGeorgeHusband1761-1840.73.shtml Robert Burns Country]
* [http://www.bairdnet.com/biography/scotland.html Baird Biographies]

References