Herbert John Clifford Grierson was born in 1866 in Shetland. He studied at Aberdeen University (King's College) and was awarded the degree of MA. He also studied at Christ Church, Oxford. In 1894, Grierson was appointed Chalmers Professor of English at Aberdeen University, and in 1915 he was elected Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature. His publications include The first half of the sevententh century (Periods of European literature) (1906), The poems of John Donne edited from the old editions and numerous manuscripts, with introductions and commentary (1912), and Metaphysical lyrics and poems of the seventeenth century: Donne to Butler (1921). In addition, his twelve volume edition of The letters of Sir Walter Scott (1932-1937) was said to be 'one of the monuments of 20th-century erudition'. Grierson also maintained an interest in modern Scottish poetry. Professor Herbert J. C. Grierson retired in 1935 and was knighted in 1936. He was Rector of Edinburgh University from 1936 to 1939, and was the first holder of a Chair there to be elected by the student body as Rector. He died on 19 February 1960.
From the guide to the Lectures and Correspondence of Sir Herbert J. C. Grierson (1866-1960), 20th century, (Edinburgh University Library)
