Clan Binning People

Hugh Binning (1627–1653)

Scottish Philosopher and theologian.

Hugh Binning was born on the estate of his father in Dalvennan, Straiton, in the shire of Ayr. Son of John Binning and Margaret M’Kell, a child genius Binning was admitted to the study of philosophy at the University of Glasgow at age 13 his master was James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair. When Stair retired a national search was undertaken for a replacement. Three finalists were selected and Huge, despite his age (by then only 18) and not being of Noble Birth was one of these. He had strong support in the faculty and on hearing His speeches the other candidates withdrew.

On 7 Feb 1648 (at the age of 21) Hugh was appointed an Advocate before the Court of Sessions. In the same year he married Barbara Simpson, daughter of Rev. James Simpson a minister in Ireland. Their son, John, was born in 1650. He was also called to be a minister at Govan (then separate from Glasgow).

Hugh died of consumption in September 1653 age only 26 and was buried in the churchyard of Govan, where Patrick Gillespie, then principal of the University of Glasgow, ordered a monument inscribed in Latin, roughly translated:

Here lies Mr. Hugh Binning, a man distinguished for his piety and eloquence, learned in philology, philosophy, and theology, a Prelate, faithful to the Gospel, and finally an excellent preacher. In the middle of a series of events, he was taken at the age of 26, in the year of our Lord 1653. Alive, he changed the society of his own land because he walked with God. And if you wish to make other inquires, the rest should keep silence, since neither you nor the marble can comprehend it.

Binning was a Covenanter and follower of John Knox. though trained as a philosopher he did not see philosophy and theology as mutually exclusive