Marcus Dods

Marcus Dods was a Scottish divine and controversial biblical scholar. He was a minister for the Free Church of Scotland. He was Principal of New College, Edinburgh. He was born in Belford, Northumberland, the youngest son of Rev Marcus Dods, a Church of Scotland clergyman, and his wife, Sarah Pallister. He attended Edinburgh Academy before studying divinity at Edinburgh University, where he graduated in 1854 and received his licence in 1858. He had a terrible probationary period, being turned...See more

Marcus Dods was a Scottish divine and controversial biblical scholar. He was a minister for the Free Church of Scotland. He was Principal of New College, Edinburgh. He was born in Belford, Northumberland, the youngest son of Rev Marcus Dods, a Church of Scotland clergyman, and his wife, Sarah Pallister. He attended Edinburgh Academy before studying divinity at Edinburgh University, where he graduated in 1854 and received his licence in 1858. He had a terrible probationary period, being turned down by 23 congregations. In 1864, he was appointed preacher of Renfield Free Church in Glasgow, where he served for 25 years. He joined the United Free Church of Scotland when it was formed in 1900, and was chosen Moderator of its General Assembly in 1902. He declined the appointment, citing that "he cannot see his way to undertake the duties". It was expected that as a neutral moderator, he would be unable to convey his views on certain doctrinal issues that were to be examined. In later life, he lived with his children and grandchildren in a massive Georgian townhouse at 23 Great King Street in Edinburgh's Second New Town. See less