Daniel Sandford (scholar)

[3] The Greek chair in the University of Glasgow having become vacant, by the death of Professor James Young, Sandford, although an Episcopalian, was, on the recommendation of men of all parties, elected his successor in September 1821, at the early age of 23.

In the beginning of the session of that year he entered on the duties, and by his unrivalled skill as a teacher, and the enthusiasm of his classic genius, he soon awakened a love for the study of Greek literature, not only in the University of Glasgow, but throughout Scotland.

[1][4] Ambitious of political distinction, on the first election under the Reform Act 1832 of members for Glasgow, in 1832, Sandford was one of six candidates for the representation of that city, on which occasion he was defeated, his name being third on the poll.

[6] Sandford’s eldest son, Francis (born 1824), became a clerk in the Education Committee of the Privy Council and in 1862 was appointed by the Commissioners, first as secretary, and then as general manager, of the 1862 International Exhibition.

In the latter periodical appeared some of his occasional translations of Greek poetry, as well as several eloquent and interesting papers from his pen, entitled ‘Alcibiades.’[7] Sandford's most notable production, was an "Essay on the Rise and Progress of Literature", Glasgow, 1847, 8vo., originally written for The Popular Encyclopedia; or, Conversations Lexicon.