Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Dickson, William Purdie
DICKSON, WILLIAM PURDIE (1823–1901), professor of divinity and translator, third son of George Dickson, parish minister of Pettinain, and afterwards of Kilrenny, Fifeshire, by his first wife, Mary Lockhart, was born at Pettinain manse, Lanarkshire, on 22 Oct. 1823. After attending Pettinain parish school and the grammar school, Lanark, he studied at St. Andrews (1837-44) for the ministry of the Church of Scotland. A high prizeman in Greek, at the Divinity Hall he gained in 1843 the Gray prize for an English essay. On 5 May 1845 he was licensed as a preacher by St. Andrews presbytery, and he retained his first charge at Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, from 1846 to 1851. On 9 Sept. 1851 Dickson was ordained minister of Cameron parish, St. Andrews. There brought into touch with his university and its interests, he frequently lectured for Principal Tulloch and other professors, successfully helped to put the university library in order, and was classical examiner (1861-2). Meanwhile he proved a strong preacher and a diligent pastor.
From 1863 to 1873 Dickson filled with success the new chair of biblical criticism in Glasgow University, and from 1873 until his retirement in 1895 he was in succession to John Caird [q. v. Suppl. I] professor of divinity. From 1866 to his death he was curator of the Glasgow University library, the post having been created for him in recognition of his special fitness. He was president of the Library Association in 1888, when he delivered a scholarly and characteristically humorous address. From 1875 to 1888 he was the convener of the education committee of the Church of Scotland, but he twice declined nomination as moderator of the general assembly. He was made D.D. by both St. Andrews in 1864 and Glasgow University in 1896, and hon. LL.D. by Edinburgh in 1885. While minister of Cameron, Dickson began the translation of Mommsen's 'History of Rome,' at first practising only to improve his German knowledge. Duly verifying the numerous quotations, he completed a wholly admirable version, which was published with the author's approval (4 vols. 1862-7). A second and revised edition appeared in 1895. His translation of Mommsen's 'Roman Provinces' followed in 1887. Dickson edited the translation of Meyer's 'Commentary on the New Testament' (10 vols. 1873-80). As the Church of Scotland Baird lecturer in 1883 he discussed with learning and discrimination from the orthodox standpoint 'St. Paul's Use of the Terms Flesh and Spirit.'
Dickson died at 16 Victoria Crescent, Partick, on 9 March 1901, and was interred in Glasgow Necropolis. By way of memorial friends presented to the university library, which he reorganised, Migne's 'Patrologia' (388 vols.) in an oak bookcase.
On 7 Dec. 1853 Dickson married Tassie Wardlaw, daughter of John Small [q. v.], the Edinburgh University librarian, and had issue two daughters and a son, George, M.D. Glasgow.
[Information from Dr. George Dickson and Mr. J. J. Smith, University Library, St. Andrews; The Curator of Glasgow University, by Mr. James L. Galbraith; Mrs. Oliphant, Memoir of Principal Tulloch, 1888; Glasgow Herald, and Scotsman, 11 March 1901; personal knowledge.]