Baird Lectures

BAIRD LECTURES:: A lectureship on a foundation established by Mr. James Baird (d. 1876), a wealthy Scotch ironmaster, member of Parliament 1851-57, who was. greatly interested in religious and educational affairs. While the Baird Lectures had their inception in 1871, their realization was made possible when in 1873 Mr. Baird established the “Baird Trust" and gave into its care £500,000 to be used for aggressive Christian work. A part of the income of this fund provides for a series of lectures each year at Glasgow and also, if required, at one other of the Scotch university towns. Each course must consist of not fewer than six lectures and must be delivered by a minister of the Church of Scotland, who may be reappointed. Since 1883 each lecturer has held the position for two years with the exception of Rev. William Milligan, who lectured in 1891 only. The most noteworthy contributions are the series by Professor Robert Flint in 1876-77 on Theism and Anti-Theistic Theories (Edinburgh, 1877-79), and that by J. Marshall Lang in 1901-02 on The Church and its Social Mission (1902). A full list of the lecturers and their subjects may be found in L. H. Jordan, Comparative Religion (New York, 1905), pp. 565-566.