John Skinner was the son of John Skinner and a bishop

Bishop

A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...

 of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Scottish Episcopal Church

The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....

 in the late 18th century. Made coadjutor of Aberdeen

Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney

The Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney is one of the seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church. In mainland Scotland, the diocese covers the City of Aberdeen and most of Aberdeenshire...

 on 25 September 1782, Skinner was one of the three bishops to consecrate Samuel Seabury, an American Episcopal priest as a bishop in 1784. Skinner became Bishop of Aberdeen on the resignation of Bishop Robert Kilgour

Robert Kilgour

Robert Kilgour was the 39th bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1778 to 1788. He was baptised 15 March 1714 in Cruden and later became one of the three bishops to consecrate Samuel Seabury, an American Episcopal priest as a bishop in 1784. He was succeeded by...

 in 1786, and was also Primus of Scotland from 1788 to 1816. He died in July 1816, and his son William Skinner was made bishop in his place.