William Robertson (historian)

William Robertson ( born September 19, 1721 Borthwick, Midlothian, † June 11, 1793 ) was a Scottish historian and rector of the University of Edinburgh.

Life

Robertson received his education in Dalkeith and at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied theology. He was pastor in Gladsmuir (East Lothian ) in 1743 and later in the Lady Yester 's Kirk and Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. As a staunch Presbyterian and Whig, he defended as a volunteer the city against the Jacobites, led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745.

He was Royal Chaplain of George III (1761 ), Principal of the University of Edinburgh ( 1762), Moderator of the Church of Scotland in 1763 and Royal historiographer 1764 and thus revived a role in the royal household in Scotland re that have been vacant for 1709-1763 had. Robertson was also a member of the Poker Club. His most notable work was perhaps the History of Scotland 1542-1603 which was published in 1759. He was a significant figure of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Robertson is buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. His name now bears the nearby building ( William Robertson Building ) The University of Edinburgh.

Books by William Robertson

• The history of the reign of Charles V. 1792. (4 volumes)
• The history of America Books 1-8. , 1792. ( 3 volumes).
• The history of Scotland. (PDF, 22.3 MB) 1794 (2 volumes). .
• An historical disquisition Concerning the knowledge Which the ancients had of India. 1791.
• The history of America Books 9-10. , 1796.