Alexander Gerard was born at the manse of Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, on 22 February 1728. He studied at Marischal College (now Aberdeen University), and became licensed as a preacher of the Church of Scotland in 1748. In 1750 he became a Professor of Philosophy at Marischal College, and in 1755 he published his ideas for a re-arrangement of university studies. Gerard was appointed Professor of Divinity at Marischal College in 1760, and at the same time Minister of Greyfriars, Aberdeen. He resigned these posts on his appointment as Professor of Divinity at King's College (also Aberdeen University) in 1771. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1764. His publications include An essay on genius (1774), Liberty a cloak of maliciousness, both in the American rebellion and in the manners of the times (1778), and The corruption of Christianity (1792). Professor Alexander Gerard died on 22 February 1795.
From the guide to the Lectures of Professor Alexander Gerard (1728-1795), 1758-1759, (Edinburgh University Library)
