Who is William Robertson Smith from Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo and what is their importance?

William Robertson Smith is regarded by Douglas as foremost theologian and scholar of the Old Testament, concerned with the relations between man and God. He held the Free Church Chair of Hebrew in Aberdeen in 1879. In 1875 he wrote the article 'Bible' for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and due to the protests by the Free Church, was subsequently suspended and dismissed. His views adhered to German thought while having faith in the Bible as records of revelations.