Rev. Robert Simpson (1792-1867) was the minister of North United Presbyterian Church of Sanquhar, Scotland for forty-eight years. An honorary degree was conferred by Princeton College, U.S., 1853. In addition to Martyrland he was author of The Two Shepherds, The Minister and his Hearer, Traditions of the Covenanters, Life of the Rev. James Renwick, A Voice from the Desert, Memorials of Worth, History of Sanquhar, and Cottars of the Glen.