Letters of Rev. Alexander Waugh (1754-1827)

The material is composed of two letters written by Waugh from Salisbury Place, Mary Bone, London. One is to the Rev. George Lawson D.D. and refers to Waugh's son Alexander and to 'a testimonial of his good conduct in London during the summer'. Waugh goes on to say that his 'attendance on divine ordinances and his private behaviour, as far as known to me, has been regular and correct. Let me earnestly commend him to your fatherly care and highest counsels'. The other letter is to 'My dear and loved friend' and deals with an appeal and various sums given.

Alexander Waugh was born at East Gordon, Berwickshire, on 16 August 1754. He was educated at the local village school and then later on at Earlston, Berwickshire. In 1770 he began studies at Edinburgh University and then in 1777 he went to Aberdeen University. Waugh was licensed by the Presbytery of Edinburgh at Duns, Berwickshire, in June 1779, and the same year he went to London to the Wells Street Congregational Church. A brief period back in Scotland followed, at Melrose, before his return to London in 1782. In addition to his work at Wells Street, he was on the original committee of the London Missionary Society formed in 1795. In 1802 he went to France but that mission was interrupted by war, although he made annual missionary tours throughout the UK and to Ireland. In addition to many sermons, Waugh published Sermons, expositions, and addresses at the holy communion (1825). The Rev. Alexander Waugh died on 14 December 1827.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol. 20. Ubaldini-Whewell. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1909.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.