Christison, Alexander, 1751-1820 (Professor of Humanity, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1751 - 1820
Biography
Prof. Alexander Christison FRSE (1751-1820) was a Scottish educator and mathematician of influence during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Alexander Chrisiton was born in 1751 at Redpath House, Longformacus, Berwickshire. At 20 he was appointed parish schoolmaster, first at Auldcambus and then at Edrom. Two years later he entered Edinburgh University He graduated in Classics from the University of Edinburgh in 1775. He then taught both at George Watson’s College, Dalkeith Grammar School and the High School in Edinburgh. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1800 his main proposer being the eminent physician, James Gregory. Edinburgh University granted him a further degree (MA) in 1806, and from that date he served as Professor of Humanity at the university, a role he continued until his death in 1820.