Biography of Robert Trail

Robert Trail (1720-1775) was Professor of Oriental Languages at the University in 1761, and of Divinity from 1761 to 1775. He was elected Clerk of Senate in 1773.

Born in Kincardineshire, Trail studied at the University of Edinburgh and became a minister. He was appointed Professor of Oriental Languages in 1761 and three months later succeeded the Principal, William Leechman, to the Divinity Chair. Trail became involved in factional disputes at the University, but appears to have been popular with Adam Smith and other members of the Glasgow Literary Club. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1762.

Summary

Robert Trail
Clergyman and Theologian
Born 1720, Fordoun, Scotland.
Died 19 October 1775.
University Link: Clerk of Senate, Professor
Occupation categories: clergy; theologians
Search for this person in the DNB
Record last updated: 8th Aug 2008

University Connections

University Roles

• Clerk of Senate, 1773-1774
• Professor
• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Divinity
• Hebrew and Semitic Languages