BARCLAY, ROBERT (1648-16go), an apologist of the Society of Friends, was born at Gordonstown, near Elgin, Scot land, on Dec. 23 1648, the son of Col. David Barclay (1610-86), who had served under Gustavus Adolphus. Robert was educated at the Scots college in Paris, and after his return to Scotland joined the Society of Friends. A public discussion on his Theses Theologiae, printed in English, Latin, French and Dutch, was held at Aberdeen (March 14 16 7 5) . Barclay's great work, An Apology for the True Christian Divinity held by the Quakers (1678), was written in defence of his Theses, and is the first reasoned analysis of Quaker doctrine. Barclay himself experienced to some ex tent the persecutions inflicted on the new society, and was several times thrown into prison. He travelled extensively in Europe (once with Penn and George Fox), and had several inter views with Elizabeth, princess palatine. In later years he had much influence with James II., who as duke of York had given to 12 members of the society, under the leadership of Penn, a patent of the province of East New Jersey, Barclay being made nominal governor (1682-88). He is said to have visited James with a view to making terms of accommodation with William of Orange, whose arrival was then imminent. He died on his estate at Vry, near Aberdeen, on Oct. 3 169o. His wife, nee CATHERINE GORDON, who was also a Friend, lived until Dec. 14 17 2 2.