The Scottish Congregationalist divine Ralph Wardlaw was born on 22 December 1779. He was educated in Glasgow and studied for the ministry at Glasgow University, matriculating in 1791. On completion of his theological studies in 1800 he became a Congregationalist. The power of his preaching was noticed and his friends opened a chapel for him in Glasgow in 1803, in North Albion Street. A new and larger chapel was opened in 1819, in West George Street. Earlier, in 1811, Wardlaw became Professor of Systematic Theology at the Congregationalists' Glasgow Theological College. His publications include Essay on Lancaster's improvements in education (1810), Essay on benevolent associations for the poor (1817), and Christian ethics (1832). The Rev. Ralph Wardlaw died in Easterhouse, Glasgow, on 17 December 1853, and he was buried at Glasgow's Necropolis.
From the guide to the Letters of Rev. Ralph Wardlaw (1779-1853), 1845-1850, (Edinburgh University Library)
