Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macgill, Hamilton Montgomery
MACGILL, HAMILTON MONTGOMERY, D.D. (1807–1880), united presbyterian divine, born in 1807 in Catrine, Ayrshire, was educated at Mauchline,and entered Glasgow University in 1827 and the Divinity Hall of the United Secession church in 1831. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Kilmarnock in March 1836, and was ordained minister of Duke Street Church, Glasgow, in February 1837 as colleague to Dr. Muter. In 1840 he separated, with part of the congregation, from Duke Street, and formed the Montrose Street Church. In 1858 he became home mission secretary of the united presbyterian church, and he resigned his pastoral connection. He previously edited the 'Juvenile Missionary Magazine,' and now became editor also of the 'Missionary Record.' In 1868 Macgill resigned the home secretaryship on becoming foreign mission secretary, and that office he neld at his death. He received the degree of D.D. in 1870 from the university of Glasgow. He was an eloquent and popular preacher, and performed his secretarial duties with care and judgment. He died 3 June 1880.
Macgill published, besides sermons and addresses, an elaborate 'Life of Dr. Heugh,' his father-in-law, in 1850, and the, well-known and learned work, entitled 'Songs of the Christian Creed and Life,' selected and translated, 1876.
[Personal knowledge; memorial notice in United Presb. Mag. July 1880; Annals and Statistics of the U. P. Church.]