Author: Ogilvie, John
Biography:
OGILVIE, John (1732-1813: ODNB)
Born at Aberdeen to a minister, James Ogilvie, and his wife, Elizabeth (Strachan), he was educated at Marischal College. He graduated in 1750 and, after some further study (possibly in Edinburgh), was licensed as a minister in 1755 and ordained in 1759 to the church at Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire. He was there just a year before moving to Midmar, Aberdeenshire, where he remained. In 1760 he married Margaret Reid, daughter of a minister at Clatt, Aberdeenshire; they had eleven children (one was probably James Ogilvie [q.v.]). He was friends with James Beattie (q.v.); David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes; and he met Samuel Johnson on a visit to London. Poems published before 1770 include The Day of Judgment (1753) and Providence (1764). His other works include collections of sermons, books on aesthetic theory, and An Inquiry into the Causes of the Infidelity and Scepticism of the Times (1783). His Britannia, a massive work, is prefaced by a lengthy dissertation on epic machinery. He was awarded a DD by Marischal College in 1766 and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He died at Aberdeen. (ODNB 15 May 2020)
Other Names:
- J. Ogilvie