Robert Boyd (University Principal)
Encyclopedia
Robert Boyd of Trochrig was a Scottish theological writer, Principal of the University of Glasgow
from 1615 to 1621 and Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1622 to 1623.
, great-grandson of Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd
, and owner of an estate in Ayrshire
, which is variously spelled Trochrig, Trochridge, and Trochorege. He was connected by birth with the noble family of Cassilis, and enjoyed a good social position. He studied at the university of Edinburgh, taking his divinity course under Robert Rollok, and associating himself with presbyterians. In 1604 he was chosen pastor of the church at Verteuil, and in 1606 professor in the academy of Saumur
, both in France. Along with the duties of the chair he discharged the office of a pastor in the town, and was afterwards called to the chair of divinity. While at Saumur he married a French woman.
James VI and I offered him the principalship of the university of Glasgow, and Boyd moved to Glasgow in 1615. He taught theology, Hebrew, and Syriac, and was preacher to the people of Govan
. He was noted for extemporaneous lectures in Latin, and quotations from the Greek fathers from memory.
Boyd opposed the five articles of Perth
, and lost favour. In 1621 he resigned the principalship and retired to the family house of Trochrig. Invited by the magistrates and people of Edinburgh in 1622 to be principal of the university there and one of the ministers of the city, he accepted. The king then reproved the magistrates for the appointment, and ordered them not only to deprive him of his office, but to expel him from the city unless he should conform absolutely to the articles of Perth. As Boyd refused to comply, he was deprived and expelled accordingly. Afterwards he had some hope of being restored to his office in Glasgow, and was induced to sign a qualified declaration of conformity; the appointment was given to another. In 1626-7 he was called to be minister of Paisley
, but the antagonism of the Marchioness of Abercorn, a Catholic convert, meant he was obliged to leave. In 1627, on a visit to Edinburgh, he died there.
. His Latin poem Hecatombe ad Christum Salvatorem was included by Sir John Scot of Scotstarvet in his Delicias Poetarum Scotorum, reprinted at Edinburgh by Robert Sibbald
, nephew of Dr. George Sibbald, who married Boyd's widow.
Principal of the University of Glasgow
The Principal of the University of Glasgow is the working head of the University, acting as its chief executive. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the University as well as its strategic planning and administration. The Principal is appointed by the University Court and is...
from 1615 to 1621 and Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1622 to 1623.
Life
He was the eldest son of James Boyd of Trochrig, Archbishop of GlasgowArchbishop of Glasgow
The Bishop of Glasgow, from 1492 Archbishop of Glasgow, was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Glasgow and then, as Archbishop of Glasgow, the Archdiocese of Glasgow...
, great-grandson of Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd
Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd
Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd Lord Boyd, was a Scottish statesman.-Biography:Robert Boyd was knighted, and was created a Peer of Parliament by James II of Scotland at some date between 1451 and 18 July 1454 . In 1460 he was one of the Regents during the minority of James III...
, and owner of an estate in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, which is variously spelled Trochrig, Trochridge, and Trochorege. He was connected by birth with the noble family of Cassilis, and enjoyed a good social position. He studied at the university of Edinburgh, taking his divinity course under Robert Rollok, and associating himself with presbyterians. In 1604 he was chosen pastor of the church at Verteuil, and in 1606 professor in the academy of Saumur
Academy of Saumur
The Academy of Saumur was a Huguenot university at Saumur in western France. It existed from 1593, when it was founded by Philippe de Mornay, until shortly after 1683, when Louis XIV decided on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, ending the limited toleration of Protestantism in...
, both in France. Along with the duties of the chair he discharged the office of a pastor in the town, and was afterwards called to the chair of divinity. While at Saumur he married a French woman.
James VI and I offered him the principalship of the university of Glasgow, and Boyd moved to Glasgow in 1615. He taught theology, Hebrew, and Syriac, and was preacher to the people of Govan
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
. He was noted for extemporaneous lectures in Latin, and quotations from the Greek fathers from memory.
Boyd opposed the five articles of Perth
Five Articles of Perth
The Five Articles of Perth was an attempt by King James VI of Scotland to impose practices on the Church of Scotland in an attempt to integrate it with the episcopalian Church of England...
, and lost favour. In 1621 he resigned the principalship and retired to the family house of Trochrig. Invited by the magistrates and people of Edinburgh in 1622 to be principal of the university there and one of the ministers of the city, he accepted. The king then reproved the magistrates for the appointment, and ordered them not only to deprive him of his office, but to expel him from the city unless he should conform absolutely to the articles of Perth. As Boyd refused to comply, he was deprived and expelled accordingly. Afterwards he had some hope of being restored to his office in Glasgow, and was induced to sign a qualified declaration of conformity; the appointment was given to another. In 1626-7 he was called to be minister of Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
, but the antagonism of the Marchioness of Abercorn, a Catholic convert, meant he was obliged to leave. In 1627, on a visit to Edinburgh, he died there.
Works
Boyd's major work was an elaborate 'Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians,' published after his death, and described as a theological thesaurusThesaurus
A thesaurus is a reference work that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning , in contrast to a dictionary, which contains definitions and pronunciations...
. His Latin poem Hecatombe ad Christum Salvatorem was included by Sir John Scot of Scotstarvet in his Delicias Poetarum Scotorum, reprinted at Edinburgh by Robert Sibbald
Robert Sibbald
Sir Robert Sibbald was a Scottish physician and antiquary.-Life:He was born in Edinburgh, the son of David Sibbald and Margaret Boyd...
, nephew of Dr. George Sibbald, who married Boyd's widow.