Recollections of William Barclay

William Barclay had an immense influence on many people, and the Trust would like to reflect this by publishing the thoughts and reminiscences of those who knew him or have been touched by his work. If you would like to contribute, please contact us.

Rev Dr James Martin recalls: “William Barclay spared no pains to get to the very heart of any scripture passage by means of an intensive and exhaustive research of the relevant historical, geographical and religious background.

"It was only then that he ventured to distill his accumulated knowledge into terms that ‘plain men and women’ could readily grasp."

William Barclay’s son, Ronald, says in the introduction to his recent compilation, An Alphabet of Barclay:

“As you read these pages, you will find reflections of a wonderful communicator, teacher, friend, husband, father and grandfather.

“You will find a man of immense talent and scholarship, and yet someone who was happiest when talking about his beloved Jesus to the ‘ordinary man and his wife’.”

Ronald describes his father as ‘Christ’s man’, and recalls him saying: “The others we know about; Jesus, we know. The others we remember; Jesus, we experience.”