Theologian and Professor Emeritus Robin Wilson, formerly of the St Andrews University school of divinity, has died at the age of 94.
A distinguished New Testament scholar, he was on the university’s staff for almost 30 years until he retired in 1983.
Professor Wilson was active in research and took great interest in the university long after his retirement.
He was remembered fondly by his students and colleagues for his humility and many gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Born in Greenock, he was educated at Greenock Academy and the Royal High School in Edinburgh.
He took an MA in classics and a degree in divinity at Edinburgh University, and his PhD at Cambridge during the second world war.
In 1946 Professor Wilson became minister of Rankin Church, Strathaven, until 1955, when he became a lecturer in New Testament language and literature at St Mary’s College, St Andrews.
He was made senior lecturer in 1964 and was given a personal chair in 1969.
He became professor of biblical criticism in 1978 where he remained until he retired, although he continued to lecture and publish books and reviews.
He published or edited more than a dozen books and in 2005, aged 89, he produced his last book, Colossians And Philemon.
He was visiting professor to Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, Tennessee, and during 1964-65 took part in a lecture tour across the USA.
Elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1977, in 1990 he was awarded the Burkitt Medal for biblical studies.
Professor Wilson was president of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, an honorary member of the Society of Biblical Literature from 1972-93 and associate editor and editor of New Testament Studies from 1966-77 and 1977-83 respectively.
A keen golfer, he earned a blue at Cambridge and captained the team. He was a member of the New Golf Club of St Andrews and an associate member of the St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club at the Himalayas, where his late wife Enid was secretary.
Professor Wilson was a member of the Presbytery of St Andrews, St Leonard’s Church and St Andrews Probus Club.
Married for almost 60 years, his wife died in 2003. He is survived by two sons and a grand-daughter.
The funeral service is on July 7 at 9.30am at Dundee Crematorium, followed by a thanksgiving service in St Leonard’s Church at 11am. More information here.