James Finlayson was born at Nether Cambushenie, near Dunblane, on 15 February 1758. He studied at Glasgow University and later became tutor to the sons of Sir William Murray of Ochtertyre. Finlayson became licensed to preach in 1785. He assumed the duties of Professor of Logic at Edinburgh University in 1786, and he was ordained as a minister in 1787 in the Parish of Borthwick near Edinburgh. With a rising reputation on matters of ecclesiastical policy, he dedicated a lot of time to the study of the laws, constitution and history of the Scottish church. In 1802, Finlayson was elected as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Among his publications were the four volumes of The sermons of Hugh Blair (1815-1816). Professor James Finlayson died on 28 January 1808.
From the guide to the Papers of Professor J. Finlayson (1758-1808), 1794-1808, (Edinburgh University Library)
