Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Findlater, Andrew
FINDLATER, ANDREW (1810–1885), compiler, born at Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, in 1810, was educated at the university of Aberdeen, where he graduated and for some time attended the divinity classes. On leaving college he became schoolmaster at Tillydesk, and subsequently head-master of Gordon's Hospital, Aberdeen. In 1853 he began a life-long connection with the publishing firm of Messrs. Chambers, Edinburgh. In the same year was published his essay on 'Epicurus' in the 'Encyclopædia Metropolitana.' His first work for Messrs. Chambers was an edition of their 'Information for the People,' which appeared in 1857. Shortly afterwards he was entrusted with the editorship of their 'Encyclopædia,' in which he wrote several articles. He also prepared for the 'Educational Course' of the same firm manuals on language, astronomy, physical geography, and physiography, and put forth new editions of their 'Etymological Dictionary' and the 'Miscellanies.' In addition to these literary productions, he contributed a series of essays entitled 'Notes of Travel' and various other articles to the 'Scotsman.' In 1864 he received the degree of LL.D. from the university of Aberdeen. His work is characterised by singular clearness of exposition. His handbook on philology, for which study he had a special liking, is particularly concise and intelligent. He died on 1 Jan. 1885. He married a daughter of Thomas Barclay, sheriff-clerk of Fifeshire, who died in 1879.
[Scotsman, 2 Jan. 1885; private information.]