Robert Scott Moffat

c. 1831, Glasgow, SCO ─ 01 March 1895, London, ENG

Son of William Moffat (c. 1782─1857), surgeon with the 48th (Northumberland) Regiment of Foot in the Peninsular wars and later a doctor in Glasgow, and Jane Logan (c. 1793─1873).

He was a member of Glasgow Chess Club and, for a short time when the 'new' club was formed in late 1862, secretary. He won the 1867 club championship, but he appears not to have been a very active chess player.

Around 1880 he moved to London, after which he became the London correspondent for the Glasgow Weekly Herald chess column, edited by John Jenkin. However, after Jenkin resigned the position in 1882 and was replaced by Sheriff Spens, his services were no longer required.

In 1882 he was elected an honorary member of the City of London Chess Club for services as a writer on chess.

Moffat was deeply interested in the study of political economy and wrote several books on the subject

He died at his home at 8 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn, London.

Alan McGowan
Historian/Archivist, Chess Scotland

added 6/1/2023