William Robertson, Historian
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William Robertson FRSE FSA Scot |
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William Robertson (1721-93)
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| Born |
19 September 1721 Borthwick, Midlothian, |
| Died | 11 June 1793 (aged 71) Edinburgh |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Education | Dalkeith Grammar School |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
| Known for |
Principal of the University of Edinburgh; Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; Historiographer Royal |
Rev William Robertson FRSE FSA Scot DD (19 September 1721 – 11 June 1793) was a Scottish historian, minister in the Church of Scotland, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh. "The thirty years during which [he] presided over the University perhaps represent the highest point in its history." He made significant contributions to the writing of Scottish history and the history of Spain and Spanish America.
He was Chaplain of Stirling Castle and one of the King's Chaplains in Scotland.
Robertson was born at the manse of Borthwick, Midlothian, and educated at Borthwick Parish School and Dalkeith Grammar School. He was the son of Rev William Robertson and his wife Eleanor Pitcairn. The family moved to Edinburgh when his father became appointed minister of Old Greyfriars Kirk.
He studied Divinity at the University of Edinburgh (1733–41), and was licensed to preach in 1741. He was granted a Doctor of Divinity in 1759. He became minister at Gladsmuir (East Lothian) in 1743 and in 1759 at Lady Yester's Kirk and Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. A staunch Presbyterian and Whig, he volunteered to defend the city against the Jacobites led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745.
In 1754 he was an original member of the Edinburgh Select Society.
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