William Robertson (historian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Robertson
FRSE FSA Scot
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Portrait painting of William Robertson, by Joshua Reynolds
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| Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh | |
| In office 1 February 1762 – 11 June 1793 |
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| Preceded by | John Gowdie |
| Succeeded by | George Baird |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 September 1721 Borthwick, Midlothian, Scotland |
| Died | 11 June 1793 (aged 71) Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | British |
| 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 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | History |
William Robertson (born September 19, 1721 – died June 11, 1793) was a very important Scottish historian and a minister in the Church of Scotland. He also served as the head, or Principal, of the University of Edinburgh. Many people believe that the thirty years he led the University were its best time ever.
Robertson made big contributions to how we understand Scottish history. He also wrote important books about the history of Spain and Spanish America. He was even a Chaplain at Stirling Castle and one of the King's Chaplains in Scotland.
Contents
William Robertson's Early Life and Education
William Robertson was born in a place called Borthwick, in Midlothian, Scotland. His father, also named William Robertson, was the local minister. His mother was Eleanor Pitcairn.
William went to school at Borthwick Parish School and then Dalkeith Grammar School. When he was 12, his family moved to Edinburgh. This happened because his father became a minister at Lady Yester's Church. Later, his father moved to Old Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh.
From 1733 to 1741, William studied to become a minister at the University of Edinburgh. He was allowed to start preaching in 1741. In 1759, he earned a special degree called Doctor of Divinity.
William Robertson's Career and Public Roles
In 1743, William Robertson became a minister in Gladsmuir, a town in East Lothian. Later, in 1759, he moved to Edinburgh to serve at Lady Yester's Kirk and Greyfriars Kirk.
He was a strong supporter of the Presbyterian church and the Whig political party. In 1745, he bravely volunteered to help defend Edinburgh. This was when Prince Charles Edward Stuart and his supporters, known as Jacobites, were trying to take over the city.
In 1754, he became a founding member of a group called The Select Society in Edinburgh. This group was important for discussing ideas.
William Robertson received many important positions. In 1761, he became a royal chaplain to King George III. The next year, in 1762, he was made the Principal of the University of Edinburgh. This was a very important leadership role.
In 1763, he became the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. This meant he was the head of the Church of Scotland for a time. In 1764, he was named Historiographer Royal. This was a special role for a historian in Scotland that had not been used for many years. He was also a member of a famous group called The Poker Club.
William Robertson's Important Writings
One of William Robertson's most famous books is History of Scotland 1542–1603. He started writing it in 1753, and it was first published in 1759. This book tells the story of Scotland during a key period.
He also wrote about the history of Spain and Spanish America in his book History of America (1777). This was one of the first big attempts to describe how Spanish America was discovered and settled. He also wrote a biography of Charles V, a powerful emperor.
In his work, Robertson explained how European society changed over time. He showed how the old "feudal system" began to disappear. This happened because new towns grew, people started learning more, and royal power became stronger. He believed that trade and business, along with laws and private property, helped society become more advanced.
William Robertson's Later Life and Legacy
William Robertson was a very important person during the Scottish Enlightenment. This was a time when many new ideas about science, philosophy, and history were discussed in Scotland. He was also a leader of the "moderates" within the Church of Scotland.
In 1783, he helped start the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a famous group that promotes learning and science.
William Robertson passed away on June 11, 1793, from a sickness called jaundice. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. His grave is inside a large stone building called a mausoleum.
Today, a building at the University of Edinburgh is named after him, called the William Robertson Building. It is home to the School of History, Classics and Archaeology. There is also a special teaching position at the University called the William Robertson Chair of History, for experts in non-European modern history.
William Robertson's Family Life
William Robertson married his cousin, Mary Nisbet, in 1751. They had six children together: two daughters and four sons. Three of his children are buried near him in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
His children included:
- Hon William Robertson, Lord Robertson (1753–1835), who became a judge.
- General James Robertson (died 1845).
- Lt Col David Robertson MacDonald (1761–1845), who was important in the history of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
One of his daughters, Mary, married an author named Patrick Brydone. Another daughter, Eleanora, married John Russell. Their son, John Russell, also became an important clerk. William Robertson was also the great-uncle of Dr William Robertson, who was a statistician.
