Andrew Lumsden (bishop)


Andrew Lumsden, M.A. was a Scottish clergyman who served as the Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Early life and family

He was baptised on 8 October 1654, son of the Reverend Charles Lumsden, Incumbent of Duddingston, and Beatrix Melvill. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, where awarded a Master of Arts degree in 1671. He married Katherine Craig on 26 October 1682, and they had eight children: Elizabeth, Beatrix, John, Charles, William, Margaret, Andrew, and Isabelle.

Ecclesiastical career

He was licensed to preach in the Church of Scotland by Alexander Young, Bishop of Edinburgh on 4 August 1675. Lumsden's first pastoral appointments were as assistant minister and Incumbent of Duddingston. In January 1691, he was deprived of the post by the Commissioners of the General Assembly for declining their authority. Lumsden became a clergyman in the Scottish Episcopal Church and was the Incumbent of the Barrenger's Close meeting-house, Edinburgh, a post which he held until his death.
Following the death of Arthur Millar in October 1727, Lumsden was elected the Bishop of the Diocese of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He was consecrated on 2 November 1727 by bishops Rattray, Cant and Keith. The office of Primus was taken from him in December 1731, but retained the see of Edinburgh.
Bishop Lumsden died in office on 20 June 1733, aged 78.