(1718-1790) Historian, born at St. Ninians, Stirlingshire, entered the Church of Scotland, becoming one of the ministers of Edinburgh. He wrote the History of Great Britain on a New Plan (1771-93), in 6 volumes, covering the period from the Roman invasion until the reign of Henry VIII. The novelty consisted in dividing the subjects into different heads, civil history, military, social, and so on, and following out each of them separately. The work was mainly a compilation, having no critical qualities, and is now of little value. Notwithstanding the persistent and ferocious attacks of Dr. Gilbert Stewart (q.v.), it had a great success, and brought the author over £3000, and a government pension of £100.