RICHARDSON, the name of a family which possesses a baronetcy of Nova Scotia, conferred, 13th November 1630, on Sir Robert Richardson of Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire, whose son, Sir Robert, second baronet, sold that estate, and died without issue in 1640. The baronetcy devolved on his cousin, Sir James Richardson of Smeaton, third baronet, who died in 1680. His son, Sir James Richardson, fourth baronet, sold the Smeaton estate in 1708, and died in 1717. On the death of Sir John Richardson, the twelfth baronet, 12th April 1821, the baronetcy became dormant. In 1837, Sir John Stewart Richardson, son of James Richardson, Esq. of Pitfour, Perthshire, was served heir male general to this baronetcy as heir of the first baronet’s elder brother, and accordingly became 13th baronet. Born Sep. 1, 1797, in Aug. 1843 he was appointed secretary to the order of the Thistle. In 1826 he married Mary, daughter of James Hay, Esq. of Colliepriest, Devonshire, issue 4 sons and 3 daughters. James Thomas, the eldest son, 78 Highlanders, was born Dec. 24, 1840.

RICHARDSON, WILLIAM, a miscellaneous writer, son of Rev. James Richardson, minister of Aberfoyle, was born there Oct. 1, 1743, and educated at the parish school. In his 14th year he was sent to the university of Glasgow, and after finishing the usual curriculum, entered on the study of divinity; but, before he had completed his theological course, he was appointed tutor to the two sons of Lord Cathcart, whom he accompanied to Eton, where he remained for two years. IN 1768 he went with his pupils to St. Petersburg, their father having been nominated ambassador-extraordinary to the empress of Russia; and, during his residence there, he acted as secretary to Lord Cathcart. In 1772 he returned with his only surviving pupil to Glasgow, and soon after, through the interest of Lord Cathcart, then lord rector of the university there, he was chosen professor of humanity, having succeeded Professor Muirhead in that chair. He died November 3, 1814. His works are:

A Philosophical Analysis and Illustration of some of Shakespear’s Remarkable Characters. Glasg. 1774, 12mo.
Cursory Remarks on Tragedy, Shakespear, and certain Italian and French Poets. Glasg. 1774, 8vo.
Poems, chiefly Rural. Glasg. 1774, 12mo. 1781, 8vo.
Essays on Shakespear’s Dramatic Characters of Richard III., King Lear, and Timon of Athens; with an Essay on the Faults of Shakespear. Lond. 1783, 8vo. Lond. 1785, 2 vols. 12mo. 1797, 8vo.
Anecdotes of the Russian Empire, in a series of Letters, written a few years ago from St. Petersburgh. Glasgow, 1784, 8vo.
Essays on Shakespear’s Dramatic Character of Falstaff, and on his imitation of Female Characters; to which are added, some General Observations on the Study of Shakespear. Lond. 1789, 12mo. The same; to which is added, an Essay on the Faults of Shakespear. Lond. 1797, 8vo.
The Indians; a Tragedy. Lond. 1790, 8vo.
Essays on Shakespear’s Dramatic Characters of Macbeth, Hamlet, Jacques, Imogen, Richard III., Sir John Falstaff, King Lear, Timon of Athens; with an illustration of his representations of National Character in that of Fluellen; and Observations on the chief Objects of Criticism in his Works, 8vo. The whole of his Essays on Shakspere, as the name is now spelled, were collected into one volume.
The Maid of Lochlin; a Lyrical Drama; with Odes, and other Poems. Lond. 1801, small 8vo.
The Philanthrope, a periodical Essayist, published at London in 1797.
Poems and Plays. Lond. 1805, 2 vols 12mo.
On the Dramatic or Ancient Form of Historical Composition. Trans. Soc. Edin. 1788, vol. i. 99.

He was also a contributor to Gilbert Stewart’s Edinburgh Magazine and Review, and to the Mirror and Lounger; and wrote the Life of Professor Arthur prefixed to his works, and an Essay on Celtic Superstitions, appended to Dr. Graham’s Inquiry into the Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian. He left in manuscript an Essay on Figurative Language, and some other papers.