Anderson, Robert, 1799-1868 (teacher and lay-preacher)
Dates
- Existence: 1799 - 1868
Biography
Robert Anderson was an Edinburgh-based teacher and preacher. He was the fourth child of Robert Anderson and Ann Lothian and was born in the West Bow, Edinburgh. He began lessons at the age of four and was entered in the Grammar or High School when he was eight.
Robert was at the High School for six years and then he matriculated at Edinburgh University at the age of fourteen. He studied Greek and Latin, Geography and Mathematics, showing a preference for the scientific subjects. One of his closest friends was H.D. Dickie, who was a member of the same Baptist Church as Robert. As young men, they started a Sunday School at Musselburgh with about twenty children.
Robert married Frances Grove and they went to Birmingham for five years, after which they returned to live in Edinburgh, where Robert combined the profession of teacher with that of lay-preacher. Some years later, Robert and H.D. Dickie, with Robert's old father, became joint-pastors of Bristo Place Baptist Church.
Robert and Frances spent the rest of their lives in their house in Gayfield Square, off Leith Walk. After living thirty-six years in the same house, Robert died there aged sixty-nine, seven years after the death of his wife Frances. They had one child, Robert Grove Anderson, who married Christian Steele.