John Barclay

John Barclay (10 December 1758 – 21 August 1826) was a Scottish comparative anatomist, extramural teacher in anatomy, and director of the Highland Society of Scotland. Life He was born in Cairn, Perthshire, on 10 December 1758, the son of a farmer, and nephew of John Barclay, who established the Berean Church. Educated at Muthill parish school, Barclay initially studied divinity at the University of St Andrews, and served as a minister. Then working as a family tutor, he educated himself in biological topics and anatomy. Pupils of his entered the University of Edinburgh in 1789, and Barclay became an assistant there to anatomist John Bell, and was associated with his brother, Charles Bell. His employer, Sir James Campbell, financed the completion of his medical course. Barclay qualified M.D. at Edinburgh, before studying anatomy under Andrew Marshall for a year at Thavie's Inn in London.