John Drysdale (moderator)

John Drysdale FRSE (29 April 1718 – 16 June 1788) was twice Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, both in 1773 and in 1784.

[3] He was educated at Kirkcaldy Parish School alongside Adam Smith and James Oswald each of whom became a lifelong friend.

In 1732 John was sent to the University of Edinburgh to study classics, philosophy and theology, though taking no final degree.

In August 1764 he translated to Lady Yester’s Kirk in Edinburgh (through the recommendation of James Oswald and Lord Bute)[3] and in 1765 Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

[5] This now-demolished square stood at the eastern end of Princes Street with the Theatre Royal as its centrepiece.