the curriculum. A prospectus for the Belfast Academy, issued on 9 September 1785, had broad support in Belfast, and funds were subscribed. The scheme was ambitious, and included a provision of preparatory schools. The Academy was opened in February 1786; Crombie, as principal, taking on classics, philosophy, and history. The same political complications that led to the collapse of the Strabane Academy frustrated Crombie's original ideas and the Belfast Academy lost its collegiate classes; but as a high school it established itself, with success under Crombie's successor William Bruce. Last years Crombie's health declined, but he continued his duties. On 10 February 1790 he attended a meeting of the Antrim presbytery, at which two congregations were added to its roll, and he was appointed to preside at an ordination on 4 March. On 1 March he died. Works Crombie stayed out of theological disputes, but he defended Presbyterians from charges of schism. He published: An Essay on Church Consecration, Dublin, 1777, (published anonymously in February); 3rd edit. Newry, 1816, (a defence of the Presbyterians, who had lent their meeting-house to episcopalians during the rebuilding of the church, against a charge of schism). The Propriety of Setting apart a Portion of the Sabbath for the purpose of acquiring the Knowledge and use of Arms, Belfast 1781; countered the strict sabbatarian standpoint by advocating Sunday drill for volunteers, in time of public danger and answered by Sinclare Kelburn in The Morality of the Sabbath Defended, 1781. Belfast Academy, Belfast 1786, an enlarged issue of the original newspaper prospectus. Two Volunteer Sermons, Belfast, 1778 and 1779. Family Crombie was married on 23 July 1774 to Elizabeth Simson (d. 1824), and left four sons and one daughter. Notes Attribution 1730 births 1790 deaths Alumni of the University of St Andrews 18th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland Scottish educators People from Perth, Scotland Irish non-subscribing Presbyterian ministers