He was born in Inverary on 28 July 1808, the son of John Elder, Comptroller of Customs, and his wife, Euphemia Beith.

[4] He studied divinity at Glasgow University graduating MA in 1825 and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Kintyre in November 1829.

[3] He was ordained by the Church of Scotland at Kilbrandon in March 1831, in succession to Alexander Beith.

In 1871 he succeeded the Rev John Wilson as Moderator of the General Assembly, the highest position in the Free Church.

His son John Robson Elder, was also a Free Church minister.