centre lent writers to an academic and scholastic revival in early seventeenth century Aberdeenshire. "A singularly cultured group of individuals, that no area in the British Isles... could match when they appeared", wrote Geddes in his translation of Johnston's Latin and Greek work. Already by 1860, Geddes was Professor of the Chair of Ancient Greek when King's College merged with Marischal to form the basis for the modern university. Geddes was one of the most instrumental scholars in promoting the academic excellence of the combined fusion of the two schools in Aberdeen. He continued to serve as a professor. In 1876, he was created LL.D. of the University of Edinburgh, Litt.D. of the University of Dublin in 1893; and his contribution was fully acknowledged when he was knighted in 1892. He died at Chanonry Lodge in Old Aberdeen, on 9 February 1900. He is buried nearby in the churchyard of St Machar's Cathedral. The grave lies east of the church. Family Geddes married on 28 April 1859 Rachel Robertson (1826–1919), daughter of William White, merchant, of Aberdeen; she survived him, with an only daughter, Rachel Blanche Geddes, who married on 23 June 1887 Mr. John Harrower, professor of Greek at Aberdeen. Works A Greek Grammar for the Use of Schools and Colleges (1855; 17th edition, 1883; new and revised edition, 1893) Classical Education in the North of Scotland (1869) The Celtic Tongue: A Lecture (1874) The Problem of the Homeric Poems (1878) Flosculi graeci boreales; sive, Anthologia graeca Aberdonensis (translation, 1882) Phaedo of Plato (2nd ed., 1885) Historical characteristics of the Celtic race (1885) Lacunar Basilicae Sancti Macarii Aberdonensis: The Heraldic Ceiling of the Cathedral Church of St Machar Old Aberdeen (1888) Memorials of a Banffshire Glen (1890) Musa Latina Aberdonensis 9 vols (1895) edited by Sir William Geddes. References 1828 births 1900 deaths Scottish classical scholars Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Celtic studies scholars Knights Bachelor