- 1844 – Born in Ayr
- Educated Ayr Academy
- 1864 – University of Edinburgh M.A.
- 1867 – University of Edinburgh BD
- Bonn
- Halle
- Tubingen
- 1882 – Called to New Greyfriars, Edinburgh
- 1888 – D.D. University of Aberdeen
- 1889 – Chair of Church History at University of Aberdeen
- 1910 – D.C.L. University if Durham
- 1910 – D.Th. Geneva