The Expositor's Bible

Andrew Harper was a Scottish-Australian biblical scholar, educator, and school and university college principal. Harper was born at 167 Main Street in Glasgow's Gorbals, Scotland, as the son of grocer Robert Harper and his wife Elizabeth, née Calderwood. After some basic studies at The Glasgow Academy, he relocated to Australia and enrolled at Scotch College in Melbourne. Harper joined the civil service, passed the University of Melbourne's matriculation examination in 1864, and graduated with a BA in 1868. Harper then attended the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a BD in 1872 and received the Cunningham fellowship. Harper was an excellent speaker and debater who wielded considerable power in the Presbyterian Church of Australia, particularly among ministerial candidates who studied under him. He had firm convictions but understood the hardships of others. Personally, he was modest and completely sincere, devoted to the Christian faith while believing in scientific investigation, a wise and empathetic mentor during a time of transition and reshaping, when many previously held ideas were being challenged. Harper retired as Principal of St Andrew's College in 1921 and as Professor in May 1924, when he was 80 years old. He retired to Edinburgh and died on November 25, 1936, twelve days after his 92nd birthday.