Author: Arnott, David
Biography:
ARNOTT, David (1803-1877: ancestry.co.uk)
His surname is sometimes given as Arnot. He was born at Scoonie, Fife, on 20 Mar. 1803, the son of William Arnott, a farmer, and Janet (Kellock) Arnott. He attended the University of Edinburgh before embarking on theological studies at St. Mary’s College, St. Andrews. After being granted his license to preach in 1828, he was appointed minister of St Paul’s, Dundee in 1836, and of the High Church in Edinburgh in 1843, the same year that he obtained his DD from St. Andrews. He married Helen Spence Smith on 16 Aug. 1836 at St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh; the 1841 Census shows them living in Greenfield Place, Dundee, with two daughters (another daughter was born later). After Helen's death, he married a widow, Mary Arnot Bayley on 1 Sept. 1846. The 1861 Census shows them living at 38 George Square, Edinburgh. Arnott is credited with introducing instrumental music to services in St Giles’ Cathedral. Arnott also served as chaplain to the Royal Scottish Academy. In later life, Arnott attempted to suppress his book of poetry by buying up and destroying copies. He died on 15 May 1877 and was buried in Edinburgh on 19 May, leaving £578 in his estate. (ancestry.co.uk 21 Jan. 2018, 27 Jan. 2025; MSP) SR