James Aitkin Wylie
Encyclopedia
James Aitken Wylie was a Scottish
historian of religion and Presbyterian minister. He was a prolific writer and is most famous for writing The History of Protestantism.
Wylie was born in Kirriemuir
, Scotland and his father, James Aitken was an Auld Licht Anti-burgher
minister in the Original Secession Church. Wylie was educated at Marischal College
, University of Aberdeen
where he stayed for three years before studying at St. Andrews
under Thomas Chalmers
. He followed his father's example, entering the Original Secession Divinity Hall
, Edinburgh
in 1827, and was ordained in 1831.
He became sub-editor of the Edinburgh Witness in 1846. In 1852, after joining the Free Church of Scotland
, Wylie edited their Free Church Record until 1860.
He published his book The Papacy: its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects in 1851, winning a prize of a hundred guineas from the Evangelical Alliance. The Protestant Institute appointed him Lecturer on Popery in 1860. He continued in this role until his death in 1890, publishing in 1888 his work The Papacy is the Antichrist. He died with his History of the Scottish Nation taken forward to 1286.
Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LL.D.) in 1856.
Wylie's classic work, The History of Protestantism, went out of print in the 1920s, although it was briefly reprinted in Northern Ireland in a two-volume reproduction in the late 20th century. It has received praise from a number of influential figures, including Ian Paisley
. The History of Protestantism was also reprinted by Hartland Publications, Rapidan, Virginia, USA in 2002 in four-volumes. ISBN 0-923309-80-2.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
historian of religion and Presbyterian minister. He was a prolific writer and is most famous for writing The History of Protestantism.
Wylie was born in Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir, sometimes called Kirrie, is a burgh in Angus, Scotland.-History:The history of Kirriemuir extends to the early historical period and it appears to have been a centre of some ecclesiastical importance...
, Scotland and his father, James Aitken was an Auld Licht Anti-burgher
Anti-Burgher
The Anti-Burghers were opponents of the Burgher Oath on theological grounds.In 1733 the First Secession from the Church of Scotland resulted in the creation of the "Associate Presbytery". This church split in 1747 over the issue of the Burgher Oath, which required holders of public offices to...
minister in the Original Secession Church. Wylie was educated at Marischal College
Marischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
, University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
where he stayed for three years before studying at St. Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
under Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers , Scottish mathematician, political economist, divine and a leader of the Free Church of Scotland, was born at Anstruther in Fife.-Overview:...
. He followed his father's example, entering the Original Secession Divinity Hall
Divinity Hall
Divinity Hall is an historic building that is part of Harvard Divinity School on 12 Divinity Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts.The hall was built in 1825 by Willard Solomon and Thomas W. Sumner and added to the National Historic Register in 1986....
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1827, and was ordained in 1831.
He became sub-editor of the Edinburgh Witness in 1846. In 1852, after joining the Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
, Wylie edited their Free Church Record until 1860.
He published his book The Papacy: its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects in 1851, winning a prize of a hundred guineas from the Evangelical Alliance. The Protestant Institute appointed him Lecturer on Popery in 1860. He continued in this role until his death in 1890, publishing in 1888 his work The Papacy is the Antichrist. He died with his History of the Scottish Nation taken forward to 1286.
Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LL.D.) in 1856.
Wylie's classic work, The History of Protestantism, went out of print in the 1920s, although it was briefly reprinted in Northern Ireland in a two-volume reproduction in the late 20th century. It has received praise from a number of influential figures, including Ian Paisley
Ian Paisley
Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, Baron Bannside, PC is a politician and church minister in Northern Ireland. As the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party , he and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness were elected First Minister and deputy First Minister respectively on 8 May 2007.In addition to co-founding...
. The History of Protestantism was also reprinted by Hartland Publications, Rapidan, Virginia, USA in 2002 in four-volumes. ISBN 0-923309-80-2.
External links
- James A. Wylie: bio and books
- Additional titles are listed at the British Library catalogue at http://catalogue.bl.uk