| Administrative History | Born in 1771, Robert Dundas was the eldest son of Henry, 1st Viscount Melville (1742-1811), and followed him in much of his career. He was educated in Edinburgh and entered politics, and was appointed Keeper of the Signet and President of the Board of Control for India. He was also Lord of the Admiralty, though rather more successfully than his father, holding the post from 1812 to 1827. Generally admired and successful, he could not avoid being compared with his famous father. He retired from public life in 1830 and died in 1851.
The Aberdeen clergymen mentioned in this correspondence were all graduates of, or professors at, King's College and the University of Aberdeen. Dr. James Hogg, minister of the parishes of Greyfriars in Aberdeen and Skene in Aberdeenshire, graduated A.M. in 1771 and D.D. in 1796. Dr. Gilbert Gerard (1766-1815), A.M. 1777, D.D. 1788, was Professor of Greek at King's College from 1790 and then Professor of Divinity from 1795-1815, in succession to his father, Dr. Alexander Gerard (1728-1795). Reverend George Gordon is probably George Gordon from the parish of Strathbogie (1753-1811), A.M. 1770, D.D. 1795, minister at Mortlach 1781, Aberdeen East 1793, H.M. Chaplain in Ordinary 1802. Reverend Dr. Duncan Mearns (1779-1852), graduated M.A. at Marischal College in 1795, and was minister of Tarves, Aberdeenshire 1779-1817, Professor of Divinity at King's College 1816-1852, and author of 'Principles of Christian Evidence' (1818) and other works. He was appointed one of George IV's chaplains for Scotland in 1823. Reverend Patrick Forbes (d.1847), minister of the second charge of Old Machar, Aberdeen, was appointed in 1817 as assistant and successor to William Ogilvie (d.1819), Professor of Humanity at King's College. He also taught chemistry and natural philosophy to second year students.
[Biographical information taken from 'Officers and Graduates King's College and University of Aberdeen 1495-1860' (ed. P. J. Anderson, 1893); 'Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae Aberdonensis' (ed. P. J. Anderson, 1889-98); 'Fasti Eccles Scot.' (rev. ed.); D.N.B.]
George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784 - 1860), Prime Minister. |
| Description | MS. 2011/1
10 February 1820
Letter from Dr. Duncan Mearns, King's College, Aberdeen to Earl of Aberdeen. Puts forward claim to 'be considered for appointment to one of the deaneries of the Chapel Royal in Scotland vacant since the death of Dr. Muter of Kirkcudbright, and asks to be recommended to Lord Melville; if application is too late for present vacancy Mearns wishes to be considered for one of the other royal chaplaincies when vacant; asks if it would be improper to request a recommendation from the Bishop of London (William Howley, 1766-1848).
MS. 2011/2
12 February 1820
Letter from A[lexander] Brebner, Provost, Council Chamber, Aberdeen to Rt. Hon. Viscount Melvllle. He recommends Rev. Dr. Duncan Mearns, Professor of Divinity at King's College, for deanery of the Chapel Royal rendered vacant by the death of Dr. Muter. A pencilled draft of reply appended states that someone had already been selected for this preferment.
MS. 2011/3
13 February 1820
Letter written by [Alexander Gordon, 4th] Duke of Gordon, Gordon Castle to Rev. Duncan Mearns, D.D. He acknowledges recent letter requesting recommendation for preferment but cannot be of assistance on this occasion as duke had previously applied unsuccessfully on behalf of Professor [Patrick] Forbes. If Professor Forbes has not applied again now, Gordon might be able to assist Mearns, whom he advises to contact Lord Aberdeen, who is on the spot in London.
MS. 2011/4
[14 February 1820]
Letter from Rev. Dr. Duncan Mearns, King's College, [Aberdeen] to [Earl of Aberdeen]. Encloses MS 2011/3 just received from Duke of Gordon in reply to request for assistance in obtaining preferment as outlined in earlier letter to Aberdeen (see MS 2011/1). Professor Forbes has no intention of applying for the vacancy.
MS. 2011/5
19 February 1820
Letter from Earl of Aberdeen, Argyle House, to Rt. Hon Viscount Melville. Encloses two letters from Dr. Mearns (MS 2011/1 and MS 2011/4) for his attention. He cannot make any specific request on Mearns' behalf. He was writer's parish minister [at Tarves, Aberdeenshire] for many years, when he became acquainted with the Bishop of London, who had a favourable opinion of his attainments. |