[1] He was born in Glasgow in 1855, the son of William Herkless, an engineer and Janet Robertson.

He lectured on English Literature at Queen Margaret College, Glasgow, before becoming an assistant minister.

This lasted till 1883 when he was appointed as minister to the parish of Tannadice in Angus.

Herkless also held the post of Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of St Andrews.

[3] During his career he wrote several books including: The Archbishops of St Andrews which he co-wrote with Robert Hannay and Francis and Dominic and the Mendicant Orders.