George Meldrum

[1] He was born in Aberdeen in 1634 the fourth son of Andrew Meldrum, a dyer and town baillie.

In 1663 he became Rector of Marischal College but lost that office in 1681 for refusing to sign the Test of Allegiance.

[2] In 1698 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly the highest position in the Church of Scotland despite only being second charge under Rev William Crichton.

However, Crichton was unlikely to be disturbed by this as he had already twice served as Moderator.He was the first second charge to become Moderator, but not the only one, the feat being repeated by both James Grierson and George Logan.

[6] Meldrum is said to have been the principal inspiration to Edinburgh servant Elisabeth West in pushing her to self-improvement: She saw him as the "Lord's Messenger".