Page:Dictionary of National Biography. Sup. Vol I (1901).djvu/275

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Blaikie
213
Blakeley

chair of apologetics and pastoral theology at New College, Edinburgh, the duties of which he continued to discharge until 1897. His relations with the students were closer and more friendly than those of an ordinary professor, and his practical power of organisation was displayed in the institution of the New College dining-hall. In the general work of the free church he took an ample share, particularly in connection with home mission work, temperance, and church extension. In 1888 he was Cunningham lecturer, choosing as his theme 'The Preachers of Scotland from the Sixth to the Nineteenth Century' (Edinburgh, 1888, 8vo). In 1892 he filled the office of moderator of the general assembly.

In the field of literature Blaikie was equally indefatigable. He edited 'The Sunday Magazine' in 1873 and 1874, and 'The Catholic Presbyterian' from 1879 to 1883. In the field of theology he produced several noteworthy works, but his most important achievements were in the field of biography. His 'Personal Life of David Livingstone' (Edinburgh, 1880, 8vo; 3rd edit. 1882), compiled chiefly from his unpublished journals and correspondence, has been long held in high repute, and his memoir of David Brown (London, 1898, 8vo), the principal of the Free Church College, Aberdeen, is an admirable biography.

In 1864 Blaikie received the honorary degree of D.D. from Edinburgh University, and in 1872 that of LL.D. from the university of Aberdeen. He died on 11 June 1899, at his residence, 2 Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick. On 20 May 1 845 he married Margaret Catherine Biggar. His wife and six children survived him.

Besides the works already mentioned, his principal publications were : 1. 'David, King of Israel,' Edinburgh, 1856, 8vo ; 2nd edit. 1861. 2. 'Bible History in connection with the General History of the World.' London, 1859, 8vo. 3. 'Outlines of Bible Geography,' London, 1861, 8vo. 4. 'Heads and Hands in the World of Labour,' London, 1865, 8vo. 5. 'The Head of the House,' London, 1866, 12mo. 6. 'The Work of the Ministry : a Manual of Homiletical and Pastoral Theology,' London, 1873, 8vo ; 2nd edit. 1878. 7. 'Glimpses of the Inner Life of our Lord,' London, 1876, 8vo. 8. 'The Public Ministry and Pastoral Methods of our Lord,' London, 1883, 8vo. 9. 'Leaders in Modern Philanthropy,' London, 1884, 8vo. 10. 'Robert Rollock, first Principal of the University of Edinburgh,' London, 1884, 8vo (New Biographical Series of the Religious Tract Society, No. 5). 11. 'After Fifty Years ; or. Letters of a Grandfather on occasion of the Jubilee of the Free Church of Scotland,' London, 1893, 8vo. 12. 'Heroes of Israel,' London, 1894, 8vo. 13. 'Thomas Chalmers,' Edinburgh, 1896, 8vo (Famous Scots Series). He edited : 1. 'Memorials of the late Andrew Crichton' [q. v.], London, 1868, 8vo (with Norman Lockhart Walker). 2. 'The Theology and Theologians of Scotland,' by James Walker, Edinburgh, 1872, 8vo ; 2nd edit. 1888. He was the author of a memoir of Islay Burns [q. v.], prefixed to his 'Select Remains' (1874) ; contributed to the 'Pulpit Commentary;' and wrote several of the 'Present Day Tracts.' He also prepared 'The Book of Joshua' for the 'Expositor's Bible' (1893), and was a contributor to the earlier volumes of the 'Dictionary of National Biography.' He was one of the founders of the Alliance of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System, which is accustomed to hold triennial pan-presbyterian councils in the British Isles or in America.

[Unpublished reminiscences of Dr. Blaikie, kindly communicated by his son, Mr. W. B. Blaikie ; Scotsman, 12 June 1899 ; Free Church of Scotland Monthly, August 1899.]

E. I. C.

BLAKELEY, WILLIAM (1830–1897), actor, played as an amateur at the Gough Street theatre, now pulled down, and at the Soho theatre, now the Royalty. His first appearance as a salaried actor was at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, with Sir William Don. He then at the Amphitheatre, Liverpool, played Polonius and other parts, and accompanied Sothern on tour, playing Asa Trenchard to his Lord Dundreary in 'Our American Cousin.' In London he was seen for the first time on 21 Dec. 1807 at the Prince of Wales's theatre, Tottenham Street, as Sir Abel Hotspur in Boucicault's 'How she loves him,' a part he had taken at the first production at the Prince of Wales's theatre, Liverpool, on 7 Dec. 1863. On 15 Feb. 1868 he was the first Bodmin Todder in 'Play,' and was John Chodd senior in a revival of 'Society.' Mr. Tweedie in Yates's 'Tame Cats' followed on 12 Dec. At the Olympic he was, 1 May 1871, Simeon Cole in Byron's 'Daisy Farm.' After, in 1880, accompanying Sothern to America, he appeared at the Criterion on 23 July 1881 as Jeremiah Deeds in 'Flats in Four Stories' ('Les Locataires de Monsieur Blondeau'), adapted by Mr. G. R. Sims. With this theatre his name is principally associated. Here he played Babblebrook in 'A Lesson in Love,' and very many comic parts in revivals of 'Brighton,' 'Betsy,' 'Pink Domi-