Alexander Arbuthnott, Principal of King's College Aberdeen

Biographical Summary

Alexander Arbuthnott, born 1538, third son of Andrew A. in Pitcarles, descended from the family of Arbuthnot, and Elizabeth, daugh. of Alexander Strachan of Thornton ; studied language and philosophy at Univ. of St Andrews, and civil law at Bourges under Cujacius, where he took orders in the Church. Embracing the Reformed doctrines, he returned home as a zealous champion of those principles, was declared apt and able to teach by the first General Assembly 20th Dec. 1560; pres. to the parsonage and vicarage of Logie-Buchan by James VI. 15th July 1568; app. Principal 23rd July 1569 ; trans, to Forvie, still holding Logie-Buchan in conjunction, but seems also to have been pres. to Arbuthnott 25th July that year; elected Moderator of the General Assembly 6th Aug. 1573, and again on 1st April 1577 ; trans, to Old Machar before 1574, still holding the Principalship in conjunction. In Nov. 1582, when a commission was appointed to visit the College, he is said to be about to be removed to the City of St Andrews. He died unmarr. 10th Oct. 1583, and was buried in the Parish Church of Aberdeen " afor the pulpit." He was a zealous patron of learning, a poet and mathematician, and greatly assisted in promoting a taste for literature among his countrymen, while he strenuously supported the interest and views of Reformers, so much so that the King forbade his being absent from the University, a circumstance which not improbably accelerated his death. Andrew Melville wrote his epitaph.

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. VII, page 364

Other Reference

• The Scots peerage, Vol. I, page 287
• Wikipedia contributors. "Alexander Arbuthnot (poet)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.