Baillie was born in 1741, and came to note as one of the nine students involved in the Associate (Burgher) Divinity Hall in 1765.
His convivial habits having led him into irregularities peculiarly inconsistent with his profession, he was suspended in 1784.
[2] He then assisted William Tinwell, the author of A Treatise of Practical Arithmetic, in conducting a school.
Afterwards he lectured in a schoolroom in St. Nicholas's churchyard at Newcastle, and in 1797 his friends fitted up the chapel at the Old Postern Gate for his use.
He was in pecuniary difficulties for several years previous to his death, which occurred at Gateshead on 12 December 1806.