ARBUTHNOTT, Alexander Principal of King's College, Aberdeen ¹

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  General Notes:

"Alexander, Principal of King's College, Aberdeen. He was one of the most eminent men of his time. According to Archbishop Spottiswood 'he was greatly loved of all men, hated of none, and in such account for his moderation with the chief men of these parts that without his advice they could do almost nothing, which put him in a great fashrie whereof he did often complain ; pleasant and jocund in conversation, and in all sciences expert, a good poet, mathematician, a philosopher, theologue, lawyer, and skilful in medicine, so that in every subject he could promptly discourse and to good purpose.' He was born in 1538, and was educated at Aberdeen and Bourges, whence he returned to Scotland in 1566, and was soon after licensed as a preacher of the reformed church. He was presented to Logie Buchan in 1568, to Forve and to Arbuthnott in 1569, in which year he was also appointed Principal of King's College. He died 16 October 1583, aged forty-five. He left behind him in MS. the Originis et incrementi familice Arbuthnoticce Descriptio Historica. already mentioned."

from Scots Peerage (vol 1)




(at Logie Buchan in 1562)

"Alexander Arbuthnott, min. in 1562; pres. to the parsonage and vicarage by James VI. 15th July 1568 ; removed to Forvie, holding this parish in conjunction ; trans, to Old Machar about 1574."

(at Forvie in 1569)

"Alexander Arbuthnott, removed from Logie-Buchan, holding the office of Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, in conjunction, and receiving for stipend the third of the parsonage."

from Fasti Ecclesiae




"1569. Mr. Alexander Arbuthnot.

'Brother to the Baron of Arbuthnot, and parson of Arbuthnot and Logy . . . had his course of Philosophy in S. Andrews with Mr. Lawson, went to France at the age of twenty-three years, where he applied to the study of Law under Cujacius, and, being made Licentiate, returned to Scotland, 1566, in order to follow it as a calling, but God otherwise disposing, in 1569 he was made Principal of the College of Aberdeen, where by his diligent teaching and good government he revived learning, and gained many over from superstition. He was a good Poet, Mathematician, Divine, Lawyer and Physician. He died in the forty-fifth year of his age, and was buried in the College Church of Aberdeen, 20th October, 1583. He, with Mr. Andrew Melvil, had committed to them the reformation of the Foundations of Aberdeen and Glasgow. He procured the College the gift of the Deanery of Aberdeen.' "

from Officers and Graduates of University and King's College Aberdeen ^{2 3}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Principal: King's College, 1569-1583, Aberdeen, Scotland. ^{1 4}