Robert Wallace (Edinburgh MP)


Robert Wallace was a Scottish 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.

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 M.A. in 1853. He was awarded the degree of D.D. by Glasgow University in 1869.
He married Margaret Robertson on 10 March 1858 and they had six sons and one daughter. He died in London on 6 June 1899.

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.
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 Liberal Member of Parliament for the Edinburgh East in the 1886 election and remained so till his death in 1899.

Publications