John Strang, Principal of Univ. of Glasgow

Biographical Summary

"John Strang, born 1584, son of William S., min. of Irvine ; educated at Grammar School of Kilmarnock and Univ. of St Andrews; M.A. (1600); became regent in St Leonard's College, St Andrews ; licen. by Presb. there ; ord. to Errol 10th April1614 ; D.D. (St Andrews, 29th July 1616); member of the Perth Assembly of 1618, but did not vote for the Five Articles which it was resolved should be observed ; app. member of the High Commission 15th June 1619 ; adm. to Principalship 21st Feb. 1626. In 1637, during the Covenanting struggle, he took a middle course which pleased neither party, but he opposed the introduction of the new liturgy, and was largely instrumental in securing its rejection. He drew up, with others, in 1638, protests to the Glasgow Assembly against elders sitting in that Court or voting in Presbyteries at the election of clerical members, but his supporters withdrew and the Covenanting party threatening to treat him as an open enemy he gave up his opposition. Shortly afterwards he was charged with teaching heretical doctrines to the students, and the matter was referred to a committee of the most learned men in the Church who reported in favour of his orthodoxy in Aug. 1647. Further charges having been made, he resigned in April 1650 on a pension. He died while on a visit to Edinburgh, 20th June 1654, and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard there. He marr.

(1) Janet (died Feb. 1627), daugh. of William Hay of Barra, and widow of James Smyth, min. of Errol, and had issue —

• Helen (marr. (1) James Elliot, D.D., min. of Trinity Parish, Edinburgh : (2) Robert Baillie, Principal of Univ. of Glasgow)
• Elizabeth (marr. David Fletcher, Bishop of Argyll)

(2) Agnes Fleming, who died Jan. 1641, and had issue —

• William, died 1651, aged 22
• Margaret, (marr. William Ferguson of Caitloch)
• Nicolas, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh, 17th Aug. 1676 ; Agnes

(3) Anna Stewart, who died June 1649. "

SOURCE: Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. VII, page 394"