Robert Pollock (principal)

He was born on 4 December 1707 in Edinburgh. He was educated at Edinburgh University graduating MA in May 1725. Trained as a Church of Scotland minister he was licensed by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in November 1732 but took several years to find a patron. He was ordained as minister of Duddingston Kirk just south of Edinburgh, in March 1744.[1]

In July 1745 he translated to Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen.[2] In August of the same year he took on the additional role of Professor of Divinity at Marischal College.[3]

In May 1740 he took on the additional role as Almoner to the King (George II). In 1753 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity. In April 1757 he succeeded Rev Dr Thomas Blackwell as Principal of Marishal College.[4]

He died in Aberdeen on 18 May 1759 and is buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas.[5] His position as principal was filled by Rev George Campbell.[6]

In 1747 he married Elizabeth Robertson (1727-1753) daughter of Alexander Robertson of Glasgowego, Provost of Aberdeen. They had several children:[7]

• Alexander Pollock (b.1748) surgeon in Aberdeen
• Jane Pollock (1749-1840) married Alexander Duthie, advocate in Aberdeen
• James 1751-1752
• Margaret Pollock (1752-1831) married Alexander Dauney, advocate in Aberdeen
• Walter (b.1753) - Elizabeth died at or soon after this birth[8]

Joint portraits of Pollock and his wife (artist unknown) are held by Aberdeen University.[9]