Robertson, REV. WILLIAM BRUCE, D.D. (born 24th May 1820, died 27th June 1886), always called 'of Irvine'—his first and only charge—was ordained to the United Presbyterian church there in 1843. As a student he had spent many hours with De Quincey, and largely owing to his advice had finished his theological course at Halle, chiefly under Tholuck. Serious illness in 1871 incapacitated him from ever resuming regular work. Between 1871 and 1878 he was much in Italy. Thereafter he was able to undertake occasional preaching, his sermons and week-day lectures at Cambridge, 1879-81, being the most memorable. Possessed of a strong sense of humour, he could make it serve the highest ends, or could pass at once without effort or jar to the most solemn subjects. Gifted with a striking presence and a sonorous, well-regulated voice, Calvinist in doctrine, but catholic in sympathy; a staunch Presbyterian, but with a keen eye to the artistic beauty of cathedrals; an ardent admirer of Luther, but a loving student of the liturgy and hymns of the Roman Church; a seer rather than a theologian, he made music and painting, sculpture and architecture all minister by illustration and analogy to the evangelical setting forth of the gospel and cross of Christ. Unfortunately he published nothing beyond a translation of the Dies Iræ and one or two sacred songs.
For other poems and jottings of a few of his sermons, see his Life, by Rev. James Brown, D.D. (1889); and Robertson of Irvine, the Poet Preacher, by A. Guthrie (1889).