Biography of William Wight

William Wight (1730-1782) was Professor of Ecclesiastical History and teacher of Civil History at the University from 1762 until his appointment to the Chair of Divinity in 1778. He was briefly University Chaplain, from 1765 to 1766, and he was elected Clerk of Senate in 1775 and 1780.

Born in Cumberland, Wight studied at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and in 1753 became minister of Mary's Abbey Presbyterian Church in Dublin. In 1762 he was appointed to the Chair of Ecclesiastical History despite the University's recommendation that it should be offered to James Oswald, the minister of Methven.

Summary

William Wight
Clergyman and Historian
Born 22 December 1730, Brampton, England.
Died 29 July 1782.
University Link: Alumnus, Clerk of Senate, Professor
Occupation categories: clergy; historians
Search for this person in the DNB
Record last updated: 8th Aug 2008

University Connections

University Roles

• Clerk of Senate, 1775-1776
• Clerk of Senate, 1780-1780
• Alumnus
• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Divinity
• Ecclesiastical History