James Robertson 1555-1623
James ROBERTSON 1555-1623
Biographical Note
He was bursar of theology at St Mary’s College, St Andrews in 1583. While a student of theology he copied and circulated James Melville’s protest against the tyranny of Bishops, and subsequently had to flee to Berwick. In 1588 Robertson was appointed second minister at Dundee. From 1590 he held the second charge of Dundee (South Church), a post which he retained until his death. On 21st December 1597 he was enrolled as a burgess of Dundee He signed the Protestation for the Liberties of the Kirk in 1617. His was married to Margaret Scrymgeour.
Books
The full extent and disposition of his library is unknown. One volume, Herodianus' Roman History Herodiani historici Graeci… (Paris, 1539) bound with Institutiones Oratoriae (Paris, 1544) has been identified as his. It was previously owned by Thomas MacGibbon d.1596 and survives at Dundee Central Library.
He borrowed books from [[crossreference::David Wedderburne ca.1562-1634, which are listed in the latter's Comt Buik.
Characteristic Markings
His surviving book is inscribed “Jacobus Robertsone pastor Deodonensis”
Sources
- Maxwell, Alexander. The History of Old Dundee, Narrated Out of the Town Council Register, with Additions from Contemporary Annals, Edinburgh: David Douglas, Castle Street. Dundee: William Kidd, Nethergate. MDCCCLXXXiV
- Millar, A H. (ed.) Compt Buik of David Wedderburne, merchant of Dundee, 1587-1630. Together with the shipping lists of Dundee, 1580-1618, Edinburgh, Scottish History Society, 1898
- Scott, Hew et al. Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: The Succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation, 9 vols, new edn. Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd, 1915–61.