Rev Robert H. Bishop D.D.
Principal of Oxford University Ohio
Robert was born in Longridge. He entered the Associate Theological Hall as a student under Professor Lawson, of Selkirk in the session of 1798. He did not finish his studies but emigrated to America. He continued his studies there and entered the ministry. He was afterwards elected Professor of Theology and was latterly Principal of the Univeristy of Oxford, Miami, Ohio, USA. He died in 1855.

(History of Bathgate and District  A.M. Bisset)

 Rev John Brown D.D.
Professor of Exegetical Theology United Secession College, Edinburgh.
This famous son of a famous family was born at Longridge on the 12th of Jul 1784. His father was John Brown of Whitburn, scarcely les notable as preacher and writer, who had been minister of Longridge Associate (Burgher) church for seven years. Educated at Whitburn parish school from what at the age of thirteen, he proceeded to Edinburgh University. He went on to teach for three years in the Fife village of Elie. At the age of 20 he became a licensed preacher. He was or inducted to the parish of Biggar. His eloquence and power made themselves manifest in crowded services, people flocking from a wide area to hear him, so that a larger church had to be built to hold the increasing numbers?. In 1822 he moved to the charge of Rose Street in Edinburgh and then in 1829 Broughton Place where he grew a membership of 1200. His distinction was noted in being awarded a Doctor of Divinity by Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. In 1834 he was elected to the chair of Exegetical theology in the Secession Church. He died on the 13th of October 1858 his funeral to the New Calton Burying ground being one of the most largely attended ever witnessed in Edinburgh.

(History of Bathgate and District  A.M. Bisset)