Brown, John, of Haddington

Brown, John, Of Haddington, was born at Kerpoo, Perthshire, Scotland, 1722. His early education was neglected, and he taught school to support himself during his preparatory studies. In the Burgher (q.v.) schism in the Secession Church he joined the moderate party; and, after studying under Ebenezer Erskine, he was licensed in 1750. His parochial duties being limited, he adopted a plan of daily study to which he kept rigidly through life. By patient industry he became acquainted with the Oriental languages, as well as the classical and modern: but he applied all his learning to divinity and Biblical literature. In 1768 he became professor of divinity to the Associate Symiod, and held the office till his death, June 19, 1787. His chief works are Dictionary of the Bible (Lond. 1769, 2 vols. 8vo; often reprinted) :-Self-interpreting Bible (Lond. 4to; often reprinted):-Compendious History of the British Churches (Edinb. 1823, new ed. 2 vols. 8vo)-- Concordance to Scripture (Lond. 1816, 18mo):-Harmony of Prophecies (Lond. 1800, 12mo, new ed.); besides minor writings.-Jamieson, Relig. Biog. p. 71; Allibone, Diet. of Authors, i, 257.