Adam Blackwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adam Blackwood
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Adam Blackwood
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| Born | 1539 Dunfermline, Scotland |
| Died | 1613 Poitiers, France |
| Notable works | Apology for Kings |
Adam Blackwood (born 1539, died 1613) was a Scottish writer. He was a strong supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots. He often wrote to defend her actions and her right to rule.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Adam Blackwood was born in 1539 in Dunfermline, Scotland. His parents were William Blackwood and Helen Reid. Sadly, he became an orphan when he was young.
His great-uncle, Robert Reid, who was the Bishop of Orkney, helped pay for his education. Adam studied at the famous University of Paris. He also spent two years studying law at the University of Toulouse in France. Mary, Queen of Scots, who was living in France at the time, also helped him with his studies.
Career and Support for Mary, Queen of Scots
After finishing his studies, Adam Blackwood became a lawyer. He worked in the Parlement (a high court) in Poitiers, France. Mary, Queen of Scots, gave him this important job in 1579. This was after he published his first book, De Conjunctione Religionis et Imperii.
In 1567 and 1568, he was even a rector at the University of Paris. This means he was a senior official there. Blackwood was very loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots. He visited her in England while she was held captive. He worked hard to help her.
Important Books
Adam Blackwood wrote several important books. Many of them defended Mary, Queen of Scots.
- De Conjunctione religionis et imperii libro duo (1575): This book was about how religion and government should work together. Blackwood believed that rulers should strongly support their religion.
- The Apology for Kings (Adversus Georgii Buchanani dialogum, de iure regni apud Scotos pro regibus apologia, 1581 and 1588): This was one of his most famous works. It was a reply to another writer, George Buchanan. Buchanan had written a book that tried to explain why Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to give up her crown. Blackwood's book defended the rights of kings and queens to rule. He argued against Buchanan's ideas.
- Histoire de la martyre de la royne d'Escosse (History of the Martyrdom of the Queen of Scotland, 1589): After Mary's death, Blackwood wrote this book. It described how she was treated while imprisoned. He strongly criticized her enemies, especially John Knox and Elizabeth I of England. This book was printed in Paris, even though it claimed to be from Edinburgh. It showed how much her supporters felt about her sad fate.
Later Life
Adam Blackwood built a large library in Poitiers. He continued to write and publish. He died in 1613 and was buried in St. Porcharius church in Poitiers. A marble monument was put up to remember him.
He was married to Catherine Courtinier. They had four sons and seven daughters. His collected works were published in 1644.
