William Robertson (historian)

William Robertson (historian)

William Robertson (September 19, 1721June 11, 1793) was a Scottish historian 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" according to D.B.Horn's (1967, p.76) "A Short History of the University of Edinburgh:1556-1889".)

He was born at Borthwick, Midlothian and educated in Dalkeith and at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied divinity. He became minister at Gladsmuir (East Lothian) in 1743 and later 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.

He became Royal Chaplain to George III (1761), Principal of the University of Edinburgh (1762), Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1763, and Royal Historiographer in 1764. Member of the Poker Club. [http://www.jamesboswell.info/Misc/The_Poker_Club.php] His most notable work was perhaps his "History of Scotland 1542 - 1603" which was first published in 1759. He was a significant figure in the Scottish Enlightenment and also of the "moderates" in the Church of Scotland.

He is buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh and he now gives his name to the nearby William Robertson Building of the University of Edinburgh on George Square.

Books by William Robertson

* "The situation of the world at the time of Christ's appearance" (1791)
* "The history of the reign of Charles V" (1792) 4 volumes
* "The history of America Books 1-8" (1792) 3 volumes
* [http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/robertson/HistoryScotland.pdf "The history of Scotland"] (1794) 2 volumes
* "An historical disquisition concerning the knowledge which the ancients had of India" (1794)
* "The history of America Books 9-10" (1796)

External links

* [http://www.jamesboswell.info/People/biography-151.php William Robertson] at James Boswell - a Guide


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • William Robertson (disambiguation) — William Robertson or Bill Robertson is a name also shared by the following individuals:Public officials*William Robertson (politician) (ca. 1760 ndash;1806), Scottish immigrant who became prominent in Upper Canada business and politics *William J …   Wikipedia

  • Eben William Robertson — (17 September 1815 ndash;3 June 1874) was a British historian.Robertson was born at Derbyshire, into a wealthy landowning family. He was a distant relative of 18th century Scots historian and academic William Robertson. He attended Worcester… …   Wikipedia

  • William Wood — may refer to:* William Wood, 1st Baron Hatherley (1801 ndash;1881), British statesman * William Wood (botanist), English Unitarian clergman, botanist and activist * William Wood (Mintmaster), best known for an issue of Irish coins and the Rosa… …   Wikipedia

  • Robertson — /rob euhrt seuhn/, n. 1. Pat (Marion Gordon), born 1930, U.S. evangelist. 2. William, 1721 93, Scottish historian. 3. Sir William Robert, 1860 1933, British field marshal. * * * (as used in expressions) Davies William Robertson Anna Mary… …   Universalium

  • William Smith — All people who go by Bill, Billy, Willie, William, Will Smith, or any other variation are listed on this page. For the college in Geneva, New York, William Smith College.People* Bill Smith (Edmonton mayor) (born 1935) * Bill Smith (Red Green Show …   Wikipedia

  • William Smith (Politiker) — William „Extra Billy“ Smith William Smith auch bekannt als Extra Billy (* 6. September 1797 in Marengo, King George County, Virginia; † 18. Mai 1887 in Warrenton, Virginia[1]) war ein US amerikanischer Anwa …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • William Henry Palmer — (October 9, 1835 ndash; July 14, 1926) was an important staff officer in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War.Palmer was born in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, he was a merchant there. When… …   Wikipedia

  • ROBERTSON, WILLIAM —    historian, born in Borthwick, Midlothian; was educated in Edinburgh; entered the Church; became minister of Gladsmuir; distinguished himself in the General Assembly of the Church; became leader of the Moderate party; one of the ministers of… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Robertson, William — ▪ Scottish historian and minister born Sept. 19, 1721, Borthwick, Midlothian, Scot. died June 11, 1793, Edinburgh       Scottish historian and Presbyterian minister. He is regarded, along with David Hume and Edward Gibbon, as one of the most… …   Universalium

  • William Ewart Gladstone — The Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS Prime Minister of the United Kingdom …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”