The Annals 



of 



Scottish Natural History 



No. 56] 1905 [OCTOBER 



REV. JAMES KEITH, LL.D. 



ON Friday, I ith August 1905, after a short illness, the 

 Rev. Dr. Keith died at his residence in Forres in the 

 eightieth year of his age. Born in Keith on 23rd 

 December 1825, he attended the parish school there; and, 

 like many another lad, he went direct from the parish school 

 to the University in Old Aberdeen, King's College (then 

 distinct from, and a rival of, the University of Marischal 

 College in Aberdeen), and graduated M.A. in 1845 after 

 a successful curriculum. He thereafter spent some months 

 as a tutor, and in 1846 became schoolmaster of Knockando 

 in Elginshire. This post he held while studying for the 

 ministry in the Church of Scotland ; the system, then allowed, 

 of partial sessions permitting him to put in the necessary 

 attendances at King's College, but extending his course to 

 six years. In 1852 he was appointed to the parish church 

 of Grantown, but remained there only until the following 

 spring, when, at the request of the members of the church 

 of Forres, he received a presentation to the parish of Forres. 

 There he spent over half a century, esteemed and honoured 

 by all, and held in warm affection by those who had the 

 privilege of his friendship. He took a very great interest 

 in all that concerned the welfare of Forres and its inhabitants, 

 56 B 



