Cunningham, William, c 1843-1847

From a typed note pasted on the page: "Cunningham, William (1805-1861), church leader and theologian; educated at Edinburgh University; minister of Trinity College Church, Edinburgh, 1834; D.D. Princetobn, New Jersey, 1842; professor of church history in the Free church, New College, 1845; principal, 1847; Calvinist controversialist and writer of 'Historical Theology.' [xiii. 321]". From a second typed note pasted on the page: "Cunningham, William, D.D. (Princeton, New Jersey). Born at Hamilton in 1805; studied at Edinburgh University and Theological Hall; ordained assistant and successor to Dr. Scott of the Middle Church, Greenock, in 1830; translated to the Trinity College Church, Edinburgh, in 1834; and in the same year married Janet Deniston, Greenock. He was one of the leaders during the "Ten Years' Conflict" that culminated in the Disruption. Signed the Act of Separation and Deed of Demission. Appointed Professor of Theology in the New College in 1844; and on the death of Dr. Welsh in 1845 was placed in the chair of Church History. Two years later he became Principal of the New College, as successor to Dr. Chalmers. In 1859 he was Moderator of the General Assembly. He rendered splendid service as a debater and as a controversial writer, his Reply to the Dean of Faculty on the Auchterarder case, and his Defence of the Rights of the People, in answer to Dr. Robertson of Ellon, being masterly exposures of Moderate policy and practice. He died at 17 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh, 1861. Publications.-Dr. Cunningham was for some years editor of the British and Foreign Evangelical Review. Much that is of permanent value in his controversial writings has been reproduced by the editors of his posthumous works in four vols.- Historical Theology: A Review of the Principal Doctrinal Discussions in the Christian Church since the Apostolic Age, 2 vols. Discussions on Church Principles: Popish, Erastian, and Presbyterian. The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation. Posthumous.- Life, by Revs. Robert Rainy and James Mackenzie, 1871."