Biography

Robert Rollock, the first Principal of Edinburgh University, was possibly born in 1555. He was educated in Stirling and in 1574 studied at St. Salvator's College, St. Andrews University. Soon after his graduation he became a Regent (or Professor) at the University, and in 1580 he became Director of the Faculty of Arts. At this time too he was studying Divinity. In 1583 he was appointed by Edinburgh Town Council as the sole Regent at the new college in the city - later to become known as Edinburgh University. By 1585-1586 he was known as the Principal or First Master, and in 1587 he became Professor of Theology retaining his office as Principal too. In 1590, Rollock became Assessor to the Moderator of the General Assembly and in 1591 was named as one of the committee set up by the Presbytery of Edinburgh to hold a conference with King James VI on the affairs of the Church of Scotland. He was persuaded to support the King's stance towards the Church, and he was made Moderator of the General Assembly held in Dundee in May 1597. Robert Rollock died in 1599.

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