James Oswald (moderator)

James Oswald (1703–1793) was a Church of Scotland minister who served as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1765.

He was born in the manse at the remote village of Dunnet (near John O'Groats) on 23 July 1703 the son of Rev George Oswald.

[1] He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Caithness in March 1726 and ordained as minister of his home parish of Dunnet in August 1726, replacing his father who died in 1725.

[3] Glasgow University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity later in the same year.

George Oswald and his wife Margaret Smythe of Methven were portrayed by Thomas Gainsborough.