178 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CCXXXII.
REV. JOHN WALKER, D.D.,
PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.
JOHNWA LKERD, octor of Divinity, was born in the Canongate of Edinburgh.
His father-Rector of the grammar school there-was an excellent classical
scholar, and is said to have bestowed such attention to the education of his son,
that when ten years of age he could read Homer with considerable fluency.
At a proper age he entered the University, where he studied with merited
approbation, and was in due course of time licensed to preach by the Presbytery
of Edinburgh.
Dr. Walker’s first presentation was to the parish of Glencorse, about seven
miles to the south of Edinburgh, and whic4 includes part of the Pentland Hills
within its range. Here an excellent opportunity presented itself to the young
clergyman for improvement in his favourite study of botany-a scienceit0 which
he had been early attached, and in which he had already made considerable
progress, as well as in other branches of natural history. In this sequestered
and romantic district Dr. Walker passed some of the pleasantest years of his
life. Those hours which he could spare from his pastoral duties were generally
spent in exploring the green hills of the Pentlands, and in making additions to
his botanical specimens.
This pleasing pursuit could of course only be prosecuted during the spring
and summer months, but the winter was not without its amusements. The
talents and acquirements of Dr. Walker were not allowed to remain unnoticed
by the more distinguished of his neighbours and parishioners. Among these
were, Twilliam Tytler, Esq., of Woodhouselee, well known for his historical
researches, particularly into that portion of Scottish history which relates to
Mary Queen of Scots ; James Philp, Esq., of Greenlaw, Judge of the High Court
of Admiralty ; and Sir James Clerk, Bart., of Penicuik-a gentleman whose
skill and taste in the fine arts was undisputed j and whose collections of paintings
and memorials of antiquity have rendered the mansion-house of Penicuik a
place of great interest to the cur ion^.^ By these gentlemen the company and
conversation of Dr. Walker was greatly estimated : and a constant intercourse
existed between them.
In 1764, the General Assembly, in prosecution of a benevolent design
Among other remains at Penicuik is the buff coat worn by the Viscount Dundee at the battle
of Killiecrankie : the hole through which the fatal bullet passed is underneath the arm-pit. Sir
George Clerk, late M.P. for Edinburghshire, vas the son of the late Sir James.