Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Shaw, Lachlan

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609455Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 51 — Shaw, Lachlan1897James Ramsay MacDonald

SHAW, LACHLAN (1692–1777), Scottish divine, son of Donald Shaw, a Rothiemurcus farmer, was born in 1692, and educated at Ruthven and King's College, Aberdeen, where he graduated in 1711. After being schoolmaster at Abernethy, he went to the Edinburgh University to study theology, and was licensed to preach on 24 April 1716. That year he was appointed to the parish church, Kingussie; in 1719 he went to Cawdor, Nairnshire; and in 1734 he took the collegiate charge at Elgin. This he resigned in April 1774, and he died in Elgin on 23 Feb. 1777. He was twice married—first, to a daughter of Collector Stewart of Inverness, and, secondly, to Anne, daughter of Bailie Duncan Grant, Inverness, on 14 March 1727—and had, with other issue, Duncan Shaw [q. v.]

Shaw's reputation as an antiquary and scholar was not merely local. His knowledge of Gaelic was profound, and his information regarding the history of the parts of Scotland where he had lived was unique. His correspondents were numerous, and included members of the leading literary and scientific circles of his time. His ‘History of the Province of Moray’ remains a standard work. It was originally published in Edinburgh in 1775, and republished in Elgin in 1827. The last edition, brought up to date by J. F. S. Gordon, was issued in three volumes in London in 1882.

His other works are: 1. ‘Description of Elgin and the Shire of Murray,’ in Pennant's ‘Tour,’ London, 1774. 2. ‘Continuation of Rose's Genealogy of the family of Kilravock’ (Spalding Club), Aberdeen, 1848. He also edited with notes and additions the Rev. Dr. Macpherson's ‘Critical Dissertations,’ London, 1768.

[Hew Scott's Fasti, iii. 235, 249, 154.]

J. R. M.