Robert Pinkerton

Robert Pinkerton (born 1780 at Foulshiels near Selkirk, Scotland[1] - died 7 April 1859 at Reigate, Surrey, England[2]) was a Principal Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS). He was a respected missionary, linguist, translator and author of several books including, most notably, The Present State of the Greek Church in Russia (1816) and Russia or Miscellaneous Observations on the past and present state of that country and its inhabitants (1833). Pinkerton travelled widely, especially in Russia, Europe (Germany in particular) and Greece encouraging the setting up of Bible societies, writing copiously about his travels and translating other authors' works from Russian, Greek and other languages.

Biography

In 1813 Pinkerton helped found the Russian Bible Society in St Petersburg; he then toured Germany (including Dresden especially) returning to Russia for three years before making a two-year missionary tour of Europe including Greece.[3] Between 1823 and 1830 he lived in London with some of his family after which he moved to Frankfurt to take the post of Sole Agent for the BFBS in the German-speaking countries in Europe.[1]

In the 1820s Pinkerton found himself having to resolve his opinions of the conflicting views of the BFBS and those of Robert Haldane that came to be known as the Apocrypha Controversy and which resulted in a split and the formation of the Scottish Bible Society.[4][5]

Pinkerton married Dorothea, née possibly Theakston, about 1807 at her home town of Sarepta, Volgograd, Russia and had at least nine children.[6] Pinkerton is not found on a British census record but his wife Dorothea and those children who chose to live in Britain are found.[7][8]

Pinkerton was the grandfather of linguist and translator Percy Edward Pinkerton and the architect Godfrey Pinkerton.[7][9]

References
  1. Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions (edited by Gerald H. Anderson)
  2. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 about Reverend Robert Pinkerton - 1859 Page 158
  3. From "An Analysis of the System of the Bible Society: Throughout Its Various Parts By Charles Stokes Dudley".
  4. Mr. J. J. Gurney's Defence of union with Socinians in the British and Foreign Bible Society and The Omission of Prayer by that society, Proved to be Untenable; by Robert Haldane Esq. Published Edinburgh 1833.
  5. Good News for the World: 200 Years of Making the Bible Heard; By Roger Steer (Pages 158-163)
  6. Millicent Pinkerton b1825; IGI Source 0597093 (RG4 4499) Parish of St Dunstan's - parents given as Robert & Dorothy AND Robert Pinkerton born 1827; England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970 - Piece 4392: Fetter Lane (Moravian), 1778-1838 - parent given as Robert “Foreign Secretary to the B. & F. B. Soc.” - Both actually Baptised at home in Barretts Grove, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. [These are sample references for Millicent & Robert the final issue, born in Newington, Middlesex]
  7. 1861 England Census, Surrey, Reigate Foreign, District 3, Page 33.
  8. 1871 England Census for daughter's Euphemia & Millicent and grandchildren Eustace, Godfrey & Mary - Surrey, Kingston on Thames, District 9, page 40.
  9. Marriage of Percy & Godfrey's parents George Pinkerton & Mary Easum showing Robert Pinkerton D.D. as father - London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921, Tower Hamlets, Stepney St Dunstan and All Saints, 1851, Page 159
  1. This page contains an image of Pinkerton that is courtesy of the BFBS Collection, Cambridge University Library and may be subject to copyright.
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