He was born on 14 May 1856 at Edinburgh and was the son of Rev. Alexander MacEwen D.D., and Elisa Robertson. His childhood was spent in Helensburgh (1851–56) and he was then educated at Glasgow Academy (1856–66). He graduated M.A. at University of Glasgow in 1870, and was subsequently awarded B.D. (1879), and D.D. (1892). He attended Balliol College, Oxford (1870–74) and graduated M.A. in 1874. He spent a summer semester at University of Göttingen in 1877 and attended U.P. College, Edinburgh (1877–80). On 29 January 1885, he married Margaret Jane Begg of Moffat, and they had two sons. He travelled widely and visited Greece in 1883 and journeyed through Sinai and Palestine in 1892, writing many letters home about his experiences.[1]
He died in Edinburgh on 26 November 1916 and was buried with his wife, Margaret Jane Begg (d.1929), on the eastern corner of the south-west section of Dean Cemetery. The grave is marked by a simple stone cross.
Career
1875-7 – Assistant to George Gilbert Ramsay[2] (1863–1906), Professor of Humanity at Glasgow University;
The dangers of professional training: an address given to the Glasgow branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland on 16 November 1889. Glasgow : Robert Maclehose, 1889.
The distress of nations : a sermon preached in Claremont Church, 17 January 1892, on the occasion of the death of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. Glasgow : James MacLehose & Sons, 1892.
A sermon on the death of the Right Hon. W.E. Gladstone: preached in Claremont Church on 22 May 1898. Glasgow : James MacLehose and Sons, 1898.
A sermon on union with the Free Church: preached in Claremont Church on 25 September 1898. Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons, 1899.
The Province of Church History: introductory lecture delivered on 16 October 1901. Edinburgh: Macniven & Wallace, 1901.[5]
various articles and reviews
Sources
The Fasti of the United Free Church of Scotland, 1900–1929. Edited by the Rev. John Alexander Lamb. Edinburgh and London: Oliver & Boyd, 1956. p. 579.
Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007 MacEwen, Dr Alexander R., (1851–26 Nov. 1916), Moderator, General Assembly, United Free Church, 1915; Professor of Church History, New College, Edinburgh, since 1901
A roll of the graduates of the University of Glasgow, from 1727 to 1897 : with short biographical notes / compiled by W. Innes Addison. Glasgow : MacLehose, 1898.University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of Alexander Robertson MacEwen
Dean 2g Cemetery, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland indexed by Gravestone Photographic Resource Project
David Smith Cairns (1862–1946),Life and times of Alexander Robertson MacEwen, D.D., Professor of Church History, New College, Edinburgh. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1925.
Glasgow University Library catalogue: University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Library - Specific search - Quicksearch
References
^David S. Cairns, Life and times of Alexander Robertson MacEwen, D.D. p.xii & ch.VIII, pp. 126–162.
^"Who's Who in Glasgow in 1909: GEORGE GILBERT RAMSAY". gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2020.