Rev Dr Marcus Dods DD (11 April 1834 – 26 April 1909) was a Scottish divine and controversial[1][2] biblical scholar. He was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He served as Principal of New College, Edinburgh.He was born at Belford, Northumberland, the youngest son of Rev Marcus Dods, a minister of the Church of Scotland[3] and his wife, Sarah Pallister.[4] He attended Edinburgh Academy and then studied divinity at Edinburgh University, graduating in 1854 and being licensed in 1858. He had a difficult probationary period, being refused by 23 churches.[5] In 1864 he became minister of Renfield Free Church, Glasgow, where he worked for twenty-five years. In 1889[6] he was appointed professor of New Testament Exegesis in the New College, Edinburgh, of which he became principal on the death of Robert Rainy in May 1907. He became part of the United Free Church of Scotland on its formation in 1900, and in 1901 was elected Moderator of its General Assembly in 1902. He declined the position, stating that "he cannot see his way to undertake the duties". It was assumed he felt that being a neutral moderator, he would not be able to express his opinions on certain doctrinal points due to be discussed.[7] In later life he lived with his children and grandchildren in a huge Georgian townhouse, 23 Great King Street, in Edinburgh's Second New Town.[8] On 26 April 1909, he died in Edinburgh. He was buried in the Dean Cemetery. The grave lies in the eastern part of the original north extension. He is buried with his wife and youngest son, Francis Palliser Dods (1879-1910). Less