Horatius Bonar

“ BONAR, JOHN, the younger (1747–1807) , solicitor of excise, eldest son of John Bonar the elder [q. v.] , minister of Cockpen, was born on 22 Aug. 1747, and died 1 April 1807. He was educated at the university of Edinburgh, entered the government service, and became first solicitor of excise in Scotland. ”

“ He was educated at the high school of Edinburgh, and attended the university. He early entered the excise office, but found time to become a distinguished scholar. He was a member of the Speculative Society of Edinburgh university, being admitted 9 Dec. 1777, and elected an extraordinary member on 24 Dec. 1781, and was for several years treasurer of the Royal Society, Edinburgh. He was one of the original promoters of the Astronomical Institution, and one of the founders of the Edinburgh Subscription Library in 1794. ”

“ He was licensed to preach an 29 Oct. 1777, ordained minister of the parish of Newburn, Fife, on 31 March 1779, and translated to the North-west Church, Glasgow, on 17 July 1783. His health compelled him to resign this charge, and on 19 April 1785 he was settled in the parish of Cramond, where he died on 8 April 1810. ”