Humphrey Galbraith ca.1641-1684

Humphrey GALBRAITH ca.1641-1684

Biographical Note

Galbraith was born in East Lothian, and attended Edinburgh University, where he gained his M.A. in 1662. After further religious study, he was presented by Archibald, Earl of Argyll to the parish of Dollar, Clackmannanshire, in 1664. He died there, still in office, in September 1684.

Books

Galbraith’s books were sold after his death, mainly to clerical colleagues; and the record of this transaction, giving the prices fetched, survives in the National Library of Scotland. Fifty-six titles are listed specifically, and, in addition, an unknown number of other books were involved. Some books were not sold to named individuals, but were to be sold subsequently ‘at the best rates’. Subjects were mainly theological and philosophical, but also included classical texts, works on medicine, history and political theory, and a Mercator Atlas (which fetched £5 Scots).

Sources

• Record of the sale of the books of the late Humphrey Galbraith, 1684, National Library of Scotland MS 976, ff. 119-120.
• Scott, Hew, Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: the Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation. New ed., 7 vols (Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 1915-1928), IV, 306.