The collection is composed of sermons, 1695 to 1697, and the journal of Hart's journey from Edinburgh to London, 1714-1715, as one of the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland to congratulate George I on his accession.
Papers of James Hart (1663-1729)
Archive Collection
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- Bookmark:http://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb237-coll-328
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- ReferenceGB 237 Coll-328
- Dates of Creation1695-1715
- Language of MaterialEnglish.
- Physical Description2 volumes.
- LocationDc.7.100; Dc.7.80
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
James Hart was born in 1663. He studied at Edinburgh University, graduating in July 1687. Hart became Minister of Ratho, just west of Edinburgh, in July 1692, and then Minister at Greyfriar's Church in the city in 1702. He strongly opposed the 1707 Union of the Scottish and English parliaments, and from the pulpit denounced statesman William Carstares (1649-1715) - a predecessor of Hart's at Greyfriar's - as an enemy to his country and a traitor to the church. After the Union had been effected out however, he became reconciled to the new state of political affairs and was chosen by the General Assembly as a Commissioner of the Church of Scotland - with Carstares and others - to congratulate George I on his accession to the throne in 1714. He was nominated by George to the post of King's Almoner in 1726. Hart's published works include The qualifications of rulers and the duty of subjects described (1703), and, edited in 1832, The journal of Mr. James Hart in 1714. James Hart died on 10 June 1729.
Access Information
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.
Note
The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Stephen, Leslie. and Lee, Stephen (eds.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol. 9. Harris-Hovenden. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1908.
Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.
Other Finding Aids
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.