George Gleig (priest)

George Gleig (1753-1840) was a Scottish minister, writer, and theologian who served as Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Born in Boghall, Kincardineshire, he was educated at King's College, Aberdeen, graduating in 1773.

Gleig was ordained as a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church and served as a minister in Arbroath and later in Stirling. He was a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, contributing articles to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, particularly in the fields of metaphysics and theology. He held strong philosophical and theological convictions, often considered within the Scottish Common Sense Realism tradition.

In 1808, Gleig was consecrated Bishop of Brechin, and in 1816 he was elected Primus, the presiding bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He held this position until his death in 1840. During his tenure as Primus, he played a significant role in shaping the theological and liturgical direction of the church. He was a staunch defender of episcopacy and advocated for closer ties with the Church of England.

Gleig's writings include theological treatises, sermons, and contributions to various periodicals. He is remembered for his intellectual contributions, his leadership within the Scottish Episcopal Church, and his role in navigating the church through a period of significant change.