Smith, John Campbell: - John Campbell Smith was a Scottish writer, attorney, and Sheriff-Substitute in Forfarshire. He was a typical 'lad o' pairts', a brilliant Scots youth from the nineteenth century who rose from very poor beginnings. Campbell Smith was born in Wellfield, near Leuchars, Fife, on December 12, 1828. His father, John Smith, was a weaver and farmer, while his mother was Anne Campbell. He attended the village subscription school until the age of twelve, when he became an apprentice mason. He worked at that trade until he felt he had acquired enough money to attend university. He left his job in St. Andrews on a Saturday afternoon after saving up enough money. Robert Wallace was a Scottish historian and biographer renowned for his thorough study and astute analysis. His opus, ""George Buchanan,"" explores the lives and times of the great Scottish humanist and scholar. Wallace's biography paints a complete picture of Buchanan, emphasizing his contributions to literature, politics, and education during the Renaissance period. Wallace's vivid portrait of Buchanan's intellectual pursuits, political activities, and cultural impact is based on a detailed investigation of primary sources and historical records, giving light on his influence on Scottish history and European humanism. Wallace's work continues to make an important contribution to our knowledge of both Buchanan's life and the larger historical context in which he lived.