[1] He was born in Gateside, Newliston near Linlithgow on 6 October 1742 the youngest son of William Dalzell, a carpenter, and his wife Alice Linn.

His father died in 1751 and the young Dalzell then fell into the financial care of his namesake and uncle, the Rev Andrew Dalzell of Stoneykirk but remaining in Newliston under the supervision of Rev John Drysdale of Kirkliston.

His early education was at Kirkliston Parish School, and then he attended Edinburgh University studying to be a minister in the footsteps of his uncle and adoptive father, but he was never licensed to preach.

Instead (around 1765) he became the personal tutor of the Lauderdale family teaching in particular the young James (1758–1839), Thomas and Robert, later Lord Liston, the latter becoming a lifelong friend.

His burial vault lies against the south wall and is highly defensive in design, being constructed at the height of the graverobbing fears in Edinburgh.