history cards

John Graham of Claverhouse

1st Viscount Dundee Graduated with a M.A. from St. Salvator's at the age of 14, in 1663 Became a soldier on the continent, active in suppression of the Covenant On his return became a Privy Councilor, Provost of Dundee, and leader of the Stuart Party in Scotland on the deposition of James VII Raised the Royal Standard for the King on Dundee Law but was killed at the battle of Killiecrankie in his moment of victory in 1689

St. Regulus

A Greek who came from Patras and was given a divine warning: "Depart from thine own land, thy kindred, and thy house, and go into the land which I shall show thee." Traveled to the coast of Pictland (eastern and northern Scotland) and brought with him the bones of St. Andrew. This place became sacred, the goal of pilgrims and the home of the Scottish Church.

Henry Ogilvy

A Master of the Arts of the University of Paris Priest of the diocese of St. Andrews Sent to collect the Papal Bulls that confirmed the founding and legitimacy of the university, only one survives Left on 28th August 1413, arrives in St. Andrews 3rd February 1414

Queen Margaret

A princess of the Royal Saxon line originally born in Hungary because her family was exiled but came back to England with her father and siblings in 1057, but in 1066 she fled the Norman Conquest by ship but wind blew her off course and landed in fife. She met King Malcom II and married him in 1070 Reformed religion with Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury and worked on improving the table manners of the knights at court.

Cardinal David Beaton

Abbot of Arbroath 1523, Cardinal 1538, Archbishop of St. Andrews 1546 Skilled diplomatist and statesman with a pro-French and anti-English policy Morning of 29th May 1546 was found dangling from one of castle windows, work of Wisthart's avengers Last Roman Catholic bishops

Allan Robertson

Acknowledged as one of the first professional golfers in the town, if not Scotland "The Championship Golfer" in the 1840's and 50's where he was never beaten First man to break 80 on the Old Course in 1858, a colossal achievement at the time In 1860 the Prestwick Golf Club threw out a challenge to see who could take up his mantle as champion and the Open Championship was born

Thomas Chalmers

Ansthruther man Professor of Moral Philosophy Became first Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland

Lawrence of Lindores

Appointed Master of the College of St. John by Bishop Wardlaw in 1419 and subsequently the first Rector of the University Most notable scholar of the University's early days Inquisitor of Heretical Pravity and persecuted the Lollards (pre-protestant christian movement, anti-clerical) for 30 years, being responsible with Bishop Wardlaw for the first martyr fire in Scotland

King James VI

Ascended the throne in 1603 and escaped the domination of Melville and the Scots Kirk Reputation as "the wisest fool in Christendom"

Mary Queen of Scots

Backed losing side in Scottish Reformation Seaton, Beaton, Livingston, Fleming David Rizzo House in St. Andrews on South Street near cathedral

Benjamin Franklin

Bifocal lens and the lightning rod Signatory to the American Constitution Worked with St. Andrews Department of Chemistry Awarded a Doctor of Laws in February 1759 and the Freedom of the City in October of the same year

Robert Tyre Jones Jr.

Born in Atlanta in 1902 Started at 6 never took lessons First person ever to win the British and U.S. open in one year 1958 freedom of St. Andrews bestowed upon him, only the second American to receive such an honor, the first being Benjamin Franklin

Sir D'arcy Wentworth Thompson

Born in Edinburgh and educated at Trinity College Cambridge 1884, at the age of 24, with "The Fertilization of Flowers" published and another book in the press, he was appointed to the chair of Biology at University College Dundee 1917 became the professor of Natural History at St. Andrews, held these chairs for 64 years Long beard

Professor John Burnet

Born in Edinburgh in 1863, educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh University, and Balliol College Oxford Gained a fellowship at Merton and taught for a short while at Harrow Appointed Professor of Greek at St. Andrews in 1892, remained professor until 1926 and published many books including a complete edition of Plato 1927 received honorary LL.D Wears the gown of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts in procession

John Stuart Mill

Born in Pentonville, London Learned the Greek alphabet at the age of 3 Educated at home and by 12 had become accomplished in algebra, Latin, Greek, and history Suffered nervous breakdown at 21 Liberal philosopher he was an MP from 1865 to 1868 and a well regarded journalist Installed as Rector in 1865, giving the longest rectorial address - nearly three house Refused to walk through the Pends for fear they might collapse Ideas ahead of his time: Irish home rule and votes for women Died in 1873 and is buried in Avignon

Fridtjof Nansen

Born near Oslo, Norway Entered the University of Oslo in 1881 reading zoology Led a polar expedition in 1895, getting closer to the North Pole than anyone previously Urged Norway in 1905 to seek independence from Sweden Became his countries Minister to Great Britain until 1908 Awarded a Nobel Prize for his work with the League of Nations on behalf of Greek refugees, the winnings of which he devoted to their relief Became Rector in 1926

Alexander Berry

Born on St. Andrews Day, 1781 in Cupar, arrived at St. Andrews aged 15 reading classics and logic Moved to Edinburgh to study medicine, qualifying in 1801 Founded the Coolangatta estate in Australia Most generous benefactor in the history of the University Helped create the Berry Chair of English Literature Money arrived when St. Andrews was struggling and changed the outlook of the University

Tom Morris 1821-1908 and David "Daw" Anderson

Champion in 1861, 1862, and two other occasions Greenkeeper at St. Andrews from 1863 to 1903 "Never could there be met with a more perfect specimen of what is called 'Nature's Gentlemen" Daw was his caddie and carried seven clubs: a play club, long spoon, short spoon, baffie, cleek, rutting iron, and putter

Napier of Merchiston

College of St. Salvator Hobby was inventing secret weapons Suggested use of tanks in 1569 More serious interests in philosophy, theology, and agriculture Invented logarithm

Archbishop John Hamilton

Completed the foundation of St. Mary's College Made last bid to save Scotland for Catholicism From window in house in Linlithlow that Regent Moray (Mary Queen of Scot's half-brother) was shot by James Hamilton, nephew of Archbishop John Hamilton Was hanged in April 1571 for his share in crime

Frank Muir

Elected Rector in November 1976 Gave generously to the University including a humorous essay prize, set up Rector's fund to aid students through financial hardship and to promote student welfare, also provided a gown for his Assessor on Court Received an LLD from the University in 1978, one of the few occasions this has been conferred onto a Rector while still in office University newspaper Aien said "the hardest working Rector in St. Andrew's history" Wears a pink bow tie donated by wife in procession

Andrew Carnegie

Emigrated with his parents to the USA at the age of 12 from Dunfermline Retired in 1901 after being most prosperous steel manufacturer in the world Main charitable interests in Britain were the United Kingdom Trust and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland Wrote a book in 1900 entitled "The Gospel of Wealth" and had decided "to cease to struggle for more wealth" and to take up "the more serious and difficult task of wise distribution"

Sir Hugh Lyon Playfair

Father was principal Served as an artillery officer in the Army of the East India Company Visited St. Helena and met Napoleon Retired in 1834 and returned to St. Andrews As Chief Magistrate and Provost he reversed the trend of decay in the town

Bishop Henry Wardlaw

Founded the first University in Scotland (third in Britain) amid a bloody civil war Burned the first heretic in Scotland: Paul Draw on Market Street in 1424

Samuel Rutherford

Graduated from Edinburgh in 1617 where he spent some years as a regent of Arts but resigned because of a scandal Took to studying theology and became a minister in Galloway but was banished for a period to Aberdeen because of his refusal to conform to the Royal Will in religious ceremonies Reaction to the National Covenant Brough him to be a principal of St Mary's College in 1647, a position he held until his death Rector of university on several occasions His greatest literary work, Lex Rex (the law is king), defended the rights of the state against the crown and his book was publicly burnt after the Restoration in 1661 and he himself was evicted

Alexander Henderson

Graduated from St. Andrews in 1604 and inducted into the charge of Leuchars in 1614 Former regent of St. Salvator's College Presbyterian leader who opposed the introduction of the English Prayer Book in 1637 Leading role in the Covenant movement in Edinburgh Donated 1000 pounds to help complete the University Library

George Dempster of Dunnichen

Graduated here, became a member of the Faculty of Advocates and for 29 years served in the House of Commons "Honest George" one of more popular people in British life Reformed energy and vision and helped Scottish industry and agriculture Provost of St Andrews commemorated in the name Dempster Terrace

Archbishop Stewart

Illegitimate son of James IV Became Bishop of St. Andrews in 1505 at the age of 12 Died in 1513 along with his father at the Battle of Flodden Brilliant scholar who studied under Erasmus and was one of the founders of St. Leonard's College

Bishop William de Lamberton

Influential role in the cause for independence William Wallace made him bishop of St. Andrews, which we was until he died in 1328. In his time as bishop, the cathedral was finished and officiated at its consecration in 1318. 18 days before death England formally recognized Scotland as independent state

Joseph Alistair Duthie

Known as "Joe" to all of St. Andrews "from the Principal to Mary the chipper" Born in Dumfries and attended Inverness Academy where he gained numerous honours in both sporting and academic life Graduated in 1939 with first class honours in Classics Joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in 1940 Wears the uniform of second lieutenant of this regiment One of the first men from St. Andrews to be killed in WWII, on 4th December 1941 at the Bir El Gubi Included in Procession as tribute to the many St. Andrews students who lost their lives in WWII

Joan Clark

Lived whole life in town as part of fishing community Married Henry Clark and had one son, Henry, who became a golf club maker

George Wishart

Martyr of the Scottish Reformation Accompanied on his preaching journeys by John Knox, who carried the great sword before him Burned on 1st March 1546 opposite the gateway to the Castle, where Cardinal David Beaton to suffer for this crime soon afterwards (hung by George Wishart)

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Matriculated in 1862 the first woman to do so at and of the old universities, then was made void so took her M.D. at Paris in 1870 becoming the first woman to qualify as a medical practitioner in Britain Founded the London Medical School for Women in 1883 and remained there as director until 1903 Founded a hospital for women in Paddington, London First woman to be elected Mayor of an English town - Aldeburgh - in 1908

John patrick Crichton-Stuart, Third Marquess of Bute

Mayor of Cardiff in 1891, elected Rector of the University the year after Reformed the Rectorship of the University, restoring its powers to their greatest heights since the Middle Ages Hoped to create a complete University by introducing law, medicine, arts, and theology Medicine building is named after him due to donations

Dr. John Adamson

Medical Officer in 1848, the year the plague struck Plague lasted a year and claimed 400 lives Founded the Cottage Hospital Pioneered the use of photography, taking what was probably the first camera portrait in Britain - a study of his wife in front of Queen Mary's house Died in 1870 from blood poisoning caused by a scratch while attending a patient in the Highlands

Two Culdee Monks

Monks of the ancient Celtic Church in Scotland Maintained the Church of Our Lady on the Rock long after the Canons of the Roman Church were established in the Cathedral Site at the head of Kirkheugh, although current remains are of 12th Century Collegiate Church

King James I

Mother died in 1402, James was sent to St. Andrews and placed under care of Bishop Wardlaw until 1406 His emblem, a lion rampant, is a component of the University coat of arms sent an application to Pope Benedict for recognition of the university with his name, his arms, a lion rampant, a component of the University's coat of arms Placed the University under his personal protection in 1432, exempting its members from all taxation and drew up a code of discipline for the Faculty of Arts Murdered in 1437 by Sir Robert Graham for his attempts to reform the legislation of Scotland and control the Scottish Nobles

Joseph Rudyard Kipling

Nobel Prize winning author of The Jungle book, Kim and Stalky and Co. Elected Rector in 1922 Started career in India as assistant editor of the Civil and Military Gazette 1916 Robert Bridges described him as "the greatest living genius that we have" First of the media rectors who are now synonymous with St. Andrews

Archbishop James Beaton

Obtained Bull of Foundation for St. Mary's College from Pope Paul III in 1537 Rather shady, known by Sessenach as "crafter and dissimulating"

Jean Paul Marat

One of the blood-stained revolutionaries of France Spent most of his time in the bath Was sold a medical degree by University on strength of his revolutionary research in amputation

John Marwood Otto Cleese

One of the finest Rectors of recent times Educated at Clifton College and went on to Downing College, Cambridge Started to tell jokes professionally in 1963 for Monty Python's Flying Circus Rectorial address was "On Cowardice" a reversal of J.M. Barrie's famous "Courage" First Rector to appoint a student to the position of Rector's Assessor Primarily this reason he is honoured in the Procession Dressed as the man from the Ministry of Silly Walks in the Procession

Mary Anne Baxter of Balgavies

Principal founder of the University College, Dundee in 1881 Led to the "Dundee Movement" that felt that Dundee should not be left out of the spread of Higher Education in Britain In 1953 it became Queen's College then University of Dundee in 1967

Sir David Brewster

Principal of the United College 1838-1859 and was also Rector at St. Andrews Main field of research was the optics of crystals and the design of optical instruments Invented the kaleidoscope Physics department still owns a microscope that he designed Best known for Brewster's Angle In 1831 cofounded the British Association for the Advancement of Science to "remedy the depressed state of British science" Has been awarded all three principal medals of the Royal Society, an achievement not repeated since

Sir James Colquhoun Irvine

Principal of the University for 32 years from 1920 until death "Little less than its second founder" Restored Parliament Hall, the University Library, and St. Leonard's Chapel Built St. Salvator's Encouraged revival of the Kate Kennedy procession in 1926

Dame Luisa Lumsden

Private schools in London and Brussels, then Girton College, Cambridge - honours in classical Tripos in 1873, then tutored classics for two years Year as a classics mistress at Cheltenham Ladies College before being invited to become the first headmistress of St. Leonard's School when it opened in 1877 at the foot of Queens Gardens Warden of University hall in 1895 1911 awarded an LL.D Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1925 Extension to University hall named Lumsden wing

James Gregory

Professor of mathematics in the University in 1688 Expounded the Newtonian theory while Cambridge was still wondering what it was all about

Archbishop Sharp

Professor of philosophy in St. Mary's College and a regent in St. Leonards Encouraged Charles II to found a chair in Hebrew in the College Sent by the Presbytery to plead with the king not to impose Episcopacy on Scotland --> however, he came back as Archbishop of St. Andrews The Covenanters were not happy and on his way from Edinburgh to St. Andrews they killed him in front of his daughter Isabel Stone pyramid marks the spot; tomb in Holy Trinity Church

King Charles II

Reigned for ten years as King of Scotland before restoration to English throne in 1660 The ablest of Stuarts, with an eye for good fruit

St. Andrew

Saint of town and university carries the cross that he was crucified on and became the saltire (diagonal cross) of the Scottish national flag. Using his cross as a part of the flag reminds us that in one time in history St. Andrews served as the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland.

Andrew Bell

Son in a wig maker born in a house on the site of the Citizen Office, St. Andrews Matriculated in the United College in 1769 and graduated in 1773 Worked in tobacco trade in America then returned to Scotland and took orders in the Church of England On advice of Dempster of Dunnichen he went to India where he devised the Madras system of education at the Military Male Orphan Asylum Erected Madras college and endowed Madras College and Bell-Baxter School Buried in Westminster abbey

Maruis of Tullibardine

Son of the 1st Duke of Atholl, Chancellor of the University, William Murray was a student here One of the first to join the Chevalier in 1715, he had to flee from Sherriffmuir in 1719, went into exile and was one of the seven who landed with Bonny Prince Charlie at Borodale in 1745 Had the honour of unfurling the standard at Glenfinnan and of reading a manifesto for James VIII Captured at Culloden and eventually died in the Tower of London

Sir James Matthew Barrie (Bart.)

Son of weaver in Kirriemuir, ninth of ten children Began writing in 1885 as a freelance journalist 1904 got great acclaim for writing Peter Pan as a play Elected Rector in 1919 in the first contested election since the installation of the Marquess of Bute in 1892 On the 3rd of May 1922, the anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Sharp, Barrie gave his seminal rectorial address, 'Courage' it was this speech that indirectly led to the reestablishment of the annual Procession and the Kate Kennedy Club Listening to Barrie's speech, Donald Kennedy (a descendant of Bishop James Kennedy), with the help of James Doak, approached Principal Sir James Irvine with the idea of reforming the procession in the manner that Barrie had suggested In this way, the procession in 1926 paid honour to St. Andrews rather than discrediting it as it had done in the 1880's

Pedro de Luna, Pope Benedict XIII

Spanish; The last of the easy-going Popes of Avignon 1413 issued 6 Papal Bulls confirming the foundation of the University which was in 1411 by Bishop Wardlaw. Supported St. Andrews because James I of Scotland wrote to him on behalf of the Church of St. Andrews, himself, and the estates of Scotland, and did not want to lose his most avid supporter

Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig

Started in St. Andrews then Clifton then Oxford Joined the 7th Hussars in 1885 Made Commander in Chief of the British Army in France in 1915 leading the army in some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War He achieved victory but was criticized for loss of life Elected Rector in 1916 although was not installed until 1919 1921 was asked to be the 30th Chancellor of the University, installed on same day that J.M. Barrie was installed as Rector Wears a field marshal's uniform with a replica of his Chancellor's robe in the Procession

Patrick Hamilton

Student at St. Andrews in 1523 First protestant martyr in Scotland and was burned for heresy outside of the gates of St. Salvator's College in February 1528 His initials are in the cobbles --> student tradition

James Crichton of Eliock "The Admirable Crichton"

Student at St. Salvator's College from 1570-1575 and the greatest St. Andrews "all rounder" of all time, accomplished in almost every art and sport, particularly noted for swordsmanship Spent much time in Italy and was greatly renowned in the society of Rome Was assassinated on backstreet walking home by Vincenzo Gonzago

Andrew Melville

Student at the University then Principal of St. Mary's College Strong Calvinist, resenting Episcopacy on the grounds that all ministers should be of equal standing Bane of James VI's life

Robertson of Struan

Student at the uni who preferred old noggin and la vie Parisienne Took part in the Calcutta Cup in '88, '15 and '45

Marquis of Montrose

Student in St. Salvator's college Had several medals for archery but had a habit of shooting arrows over the college tower without calling "fore" Supported first the Covenant, later the King

John Honey

Student who went to the rescue of the "Janet" when she was wrecked in St. Andrews Bay

Sir David Lindsay of the Mount

Studied at St. Andrews from 1505 to 1508 and went to become personal favourite poet of James V and criticised the king's loose morals Poet Laureate and the Lord Lyon King of Arms at the Scottish Court

William Dunbar

Studied at the university between 1475 and 1479, afterwards became one of the greatest Scottish poets of all time Official Rhymer in the household of James IV

George Buchanan

Studied in St. Andrews and in Paris Didn't declare himself protestant until 1560 but attacked the Church in many of his writings and spent time as a prisoner of the Inquisition in Portugal Most notable scholar of the Scottish Reformation: a theologian, a political theorist, a Latin dramatist, and the greatest Humanist of his day Principal of St. Leonard's from 1567-1569, left office to become tutor to James VI

Andrew Lang

Studied in St. Andrews in the old St. Leonard's Hall from 1861 to 1863 Published the St. Leonard's Magazine First Gifford lecturer and the author of a charming history of the Town and Gown Moved to Oxford where he wrote Almae matres in the longing for the "little City grey and sere" Main interests in anthropology but also produced translations of Homer, collections of poetry, essays, fairy tales, and writings on physical research

Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat

Team of '45 Became a general under George III

King Robert the Bruce

The King of Norman stock Freed Scotland from the Sassenach menace Murdered the John (Red) Comyn III in a Dumfries church (he was important in the First War of Scottish Independence) Attended the dedication of the Cathedral by Bishop Lamberton where he rode a horse up the isle

James Wilson

The St. Andrews lawyer who drafted the constitution of the United States of America

Robert Fergusson

The forerunner of Burns, who thought so highly of his poetry that he had erected a memorial to him Died in a madhouse at age 24

John Knox

The great leader of the Scottish Reformation Was a lecturer in logic at St. Andrews Abhorred "the monstrous regiment of women" but married two Was called to the ministry while with the besieged Protestants in St. Andrews Castle following murder of Beaton

Prior John Hepburn

The other founder of St. Leonard's College in 1512 He and his nephew, Prior Patrick Hepburn, saw to the building of the Abbey Wall, much of which survives today Excellent administrator, unscrupulous politician

Robert Fuller Murray

The student poet of "The Scarlet Gown" whose songs will preserve for all posterity the unique spirit of student life in St. Andrews

Gavin Douglas

Third son to the Earl of Angus who studied at St. Andrews from 1489 to 1494 First person to translate Virgil's Aeneid into Scots

Tom Morris Jr.

Untimely death on Christmas day 1875 aged 24 After one year of marriage his wife died along with his still born son, died of grief Won four opens in a row Father and son were winner and runner up in 1869

Alexander Paterson

Upon his death in 1989 the Courier and the Citizen wrote "the end of an era in the annals of the town, for he was without a doubt, the St. Andrews citizen of the twentieth century" Journalist for 60 years Founded the Byre Theatre in 1933 and ran it single handedly Awarded Order of the British Empire in 1958 Awarded honorary MA in 1971

Pierre de Chastelard

Young French courtier who accompanied Mary from Calais Wrote lyrical verses about her in French and Italian He hid in her room and was caught and beheaded Depicted as groom in procession

Sir Robert Moray

graduated from St. Andrews, Founder of the Royal Society Soldier during the Commonwealth and chemist during the restoration Lord of Session and Lord Justice Clerk