Principal Cairns

"Principal Cairns" by John Cairns is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work serves as a biography of John Cairns, a prominent Scottish theologian and minister, highlighting his ancestry, childhood, education, and the influences that shaped his life and career. It delves into the early years of Cairns and the origins of his family's struggles and achievements in the pastoral and religious atmosphere of 19th-century Scotland. At the start of "Principal Cairns," readers are introduced to the life of John Cairns, who was born in 1818 in Ayton Hill, Berwickshire. The narrative captures the humble beginnings of his family, including their Scottish farming lineage and socioeconomic challenges. Throughout the opening chapters, Cairns reflects on his childhood experiences, early education under a dedicated schoolmaster, and the pivotal role of his parents in nurturing his intellectual and spiritual growth. The text reveals Cairns's budding interest in theology and academia, providing a foundation for understanding his later influential role in Scottish religious life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Cairns (1857–1922) was a United Presbyterian Church minister, writer and biographer. He was born on 13 April 1857 at Stichill in Roxburghshire. He was the son of Rev. David Cairns, United Presbyterian Church minister at Stichill, and of Elizabeth Williamson Smith. He was educated at Edrom Parish School in Berwickshire and at University of Edinburgh where he graduated M.A. in 1878. He trained for the ministry at United Presbyterian College, Edinburgh and at Leipzig University. He wrote a biography of his uncle, John Cairns in the "Famous Scots Series". He died in Edinburgh on 13 May 1922.