Rev. James Octavius Playfair

Biographical Summary

James Playfair, born 7th Dec. 1736, second son of George P., farmer of Knowhead of Bendochy, and Jean Roger ; educated at Univ. of St Andrews ; ord. to Newtyle 1st Nov. 1770 ; trans, to Meigle 10th Oct. 1777 ; D.D. (St Andrews, 3rd July 1779); app. Principal 7th, and adm. 12th Dec. 1799 ; adm. to St Leonard's in conjunction 9th Oct. 1800 ; Historiographer to the Prince of Wales ; died at Dalmarnock 26th May 1819. He marr. 30th Sept. 1773, Margaret (died 4th Nov. 1831), third daugh. of George Lyon, min. of Longforgan, and had issue —

• Margaret, born 28th Oct. 1775, died Aug. 1810 ;
• Jean, born 18th April 1777 (marr. 4th Feb. 1802, Patrick Playfair of Dalmarnock, Glasgow), died 24th Nov. 1852 ;
• Janet, born 24th Aug. 1778 (marr. James Macdonald, min. of Anstruther-Wester), died 20th Oct. 1864;
• Maria Lyon, born 3rd April 1780 (marr. 14th May 1808, General David Campbell of Williamston, Perth), died 1810 ;
• George, M.D., Deputy Inspector - General of Hospitals H.E.I.C.S., father of Lyon, Baron Playfair, born 4th Jan. 1782, died 26th Nov. 1846;
• William. Davidson, lieut.-colonel Indian Army, born 3rd Sept. 1783, died 31st Jan. 1852;
• Elizabeth, born 18th April 1785 (marr. 23rd Jan. 1810, Samuel Caw, merchant, Glasgow) ;
• Sir Hugh Lyon, LL.D., Lieut.-Col. H.E.I.C.S., Provost of St Andrews, born 18th Nov. 1786, died 21st Jan. 1861 ;
• James Lyon, born 8th Feb. 1789, died in infancy; James, merchant, Glasgow, born 12th Aug. 1791, died 1866.

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. VII, page 415

Other References

• Waterston, Charles D; Macmillan Shearer, A (July 2006). Biographical index of former fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1783-2002: Biographical Index. II. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-902198-84-5. page 740
• Wikipedia contributors. "James Playfair (minister)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.