Sir Robert Anderson

Sir Robert Anderson was born in Dublin, Ireland on Mat 29, 1841 and was of Scottish descent.

His father was an elder in the Irish Presbyterian Church and he was raised in a religious home. Anderson's conversion took place after listening to a sermon delivered by John Hall. Anderson described the event:

"[Hall] boldly proclaimed forgiveness of sins, and eternal life as God's gift in grace, unreserved and unconditional, to be received by us as we sat in the pews. His sermon thrilled me, and yet I deemed his doctrine to be unscriptural. So I waylaid him as he left the vestry, and on our homeward walk I tackled him about his heresies ... At last he let go my arm, and, facing me as we stood upon the pavement, he repeated with great solemnity his gospel message and appeal. 'I tell you,' he said, 'as a minister of Christ, and in His name, that there is life for you here and now if you will accept Him. Will you accept Christ, or will you reject Him?' After a pause — how prolonged I know not — I exclaimed, 'In God's name I will accept Christ.' Not another word passed between us; but after another pause he wrung my hand and left me. And I turned homewards with the peace of God filling my heart."

Sir Robert Anderson graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1862 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1863. He later became Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard. When he retired in 1901, he was made Knight Commander of the the Order of the Bath. W. H. Smith, on the floor of the House of Commons, said Sir Robert "had discharged his duties with great ability and perfect faithfulness to the public."

Sir Robert has been called a "secret service theologian," because in addition to fighting crime in London he wrote several books on Biblical doctrine. He was close to some of the most well-known teachers of his time, including James M. Gray, C. I. Scofield, A. C. Dixon, E. W. Bullinger, and he preached along with J. N. Darby. Sir Robert was a member of the Plymouth Brethren and later with the Open Brethren. Among his many theological accomplishments, Sir Robert defended the authenticity of the book of Daniel at a time when it was being vigorously attacked.

He wrote many books, some on political subjects but most teaching doctrine.

Sir Robert Anderson died on November 15, 1918.