John Hunter (classicist)
Professor John Hunter FRSE LLD was a Scottish classicist and horticulturalist. In 1783 he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.Life
Hunter was born in Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway on 7 September 1746. He was educated nearby at Wallace Hall School. He was then attended the University of Edinburgh, graduation with an MA in 1768.
His first role was as private secretary to Lord Monboddo. In 1775 he then accepted the role of Professor of Humanity at the University of St Andrews, continuing in this role until 1826. In 1826 he took on the role of Principal of the twin colleges of St Leonards and St Salvators at the University.
The University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary doctorate in later life.
He died at St Andrews on 18 January 1837, and is buried in St Andrews Cathedral churchyard.Family
He married twice, firstly around 1770 to Elizabeth Miln and together they had a son, James Hunter. He later married Margaret Hadow.
