Robert Barclay, the apologist of the Quakers, was born at Gordonstown near Elgin, December 23, 1648. His father, Col. David Barclay (1610–86), had served under Gustavus Adolphus, and in 1666 became a convert to Quakerism. Robert was educated at the Scots College at Paris, of which his uncle was rector; and here he withstood every temptation to embrace Catholicism. He returned to Scotland in 1664, and in 1667 joined the Society of Friends. He prosecuted his studies ardently, married a Quakeress in 1670, and became involved in controversies in which he showed himself the superior in logic and learning, no less than in tolerance. In 1672 he startled Aberdeen by walking through its streets in sackcloth and ashes. He suffered much persecution and was frequently imprisoned, but at last found a protector in the Duke of York, afterwards James II. He made several journeys into Holland and Germany, the last in company with William Penn and George Fox. He was one of the twelve Quakers who acquired East New Jersey in 1682, and was appointed its nominal governor. He visited London, but continued to live at his estate of Urie, near Stonehaven, where he died October 3, 1690. Barclay’s works were collected in 1692 in a folio entitled “Truth Triumphant,” republished in 3 vols. in 1717–18. Of these the greatest is “An Apology for the True Christian Divinity held by the Quakers” (1678).

General

  Memorandum:—this John Barclay haz a sonne, now (1688) an old man, and a learned quaker, who wrote a Systeme of the Quakers’ Doctrine in Latine, dedicated to King Charles II, now (to) King James II; now translated by him into English, in … The Quakers mightily value him. The booke is common.

  An Apology for the true Christian Divinity, as the same is held forth and preached by the People called in Scorn, Quakers; being a full Explanation and Vindication of their Principles and Doctrines, by many Arguments deduced from Scripture and Right Reason, and the Testimonies of famous Authors, both Ancient and Modern, with a full Answer to the strongest Objections usually made against them: Presented to the King. Written and published in London, for the Information of Strangers, by Robert Barclay, and now put into our Language for the Benefit of his Countrymen.

  A man of eminent gifts and great endowments, expert not only in the languages of the learned, but also well versed in the writings of the ancient Fathers, and other ecclesiastical writers, and furnished with a great understanding, being not only of a sound judgment, but also strong in arguments.

  Robert Barclay was no common character, either as respects natural capacity, extensive learning, indomitable energy, or persevering zeal.

  The “Apology” of Barclay is a learned and methodical treatise, very different from what the world expected on such a subject, and it was therefore read with avidity both in Britain and on the continent…. It would be erroneous, however, to regard this work of Barclay as an exposition of all the doctrines which have been or are prevalent among the Quakers, or, indeed, to consider it as anything more than the vehicle of such of his own views as, in his character of an apologist, he thought it desirable to state. The dedication of Barclay’s “Apology” to King Charles II. has always been particularly admired for its respectful yet manly freedom of style, and for the pathos of its allusion to his majesty’s own early troubles, as a reason for his extending mercy and favour to the persecuted Quakers.

  Barclay’s great book, “The Apology,” is remarkable as the standard exposition of the principles of his sect, and is not only the first defence of those principles by a man of trained intelligence, but in many respects one of the most impressive theological writings of the century. In form it is a careful defence of each of the fifteen theses previously published. It is impressive in style; grave, logical, and often marked by the eloquence of lofty moral convictions.

  This remarkable book, which has been recommended by bishops to theological students as the best available for many purposes, is the standard exposition of Quakerism, and undoubtedly ranks among the classics of its period. Mr. Leslie Stephen describes it as “one of the most impressive theological writings of the century: grave, logical, and often marked by the eloquence of lofty moral convictions.” “The St. Paul of the Quakers,” says Coleridge of the author.