Classical scholar. Born in the parish of Strathmartine, on the northern outskirts of Dundee, Lorimer was appointed Lecturer in Greek at the University of St. Andrews in 1910. He served as Reader in Humanities at University College, Dundee (1929-53) and Professor of Greek at St. Andrews (1953-55). He is best remembered for his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into Scots, which was completed by his son and published in 1983. He also made significant contributions to the Scottish National Dictionary.