William Colvill
Encyclopedia
For the American Civil War colonel, see William J. Colvill
.
William Colvill, sometimes spelt William Colville (died 1675) was a Scottish
clergyman and scholar and was the Principal of the University of Edinburgh
from 1662 to 1675.
Colvill had originally been elected Principal of the University in 1652 on the death of John Adamson. However at this time, Colvill was minister
of the English church at Utrecht
, and it is thought that there was some obstruction on the part of Cromwell
's Government that prevented him from taking possession of the office. Therefore the position was declared vacant again on 17 January 1653, with Dr Robert Leighton
being elected Principal instead. However since Colvill had already given in his demission to his church and left Holland, he was allowed a year’s stipend for his trouble and expense.
When Leighton became Bishop
of Dunblane
in 1662, Colvill - having since returned to Scotland - finally became Principal.
Colvill was the author of a work entitled Ethica Christiana, which was in considerable repute in those days.
William J. Colvill
William J. Colvill, Jr. was a Union colonel in the American Civil War who led the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was Minnesota Attorney General from 1866 to 1868 and he also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives.-Early life:Colvill was born in...
.
William Colvill, sometimes spelt William Colville (died 1675) was a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
clergyman and scholar and was the Principal of the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
from 1662 to 1675.
Colvill had originally been elected Principal of the University in 1652 on the death of John Adamson. However at this time, Colvill was minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
of the English church at Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
, and it is thought that there was some obstruction on the part of Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's Government that prevented him from taking possession of the office. Therefore the position was declared vacant again on 17 January 1653, with Dr Robert Leighton
Robert Leighton (prelate)
Robert Leighton was a Scottish prelate and scholar, best known as a church minister, Bishop of Dunblane, Archbishop of Glasgow, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1653 to 1662. He was "noted for his Christian piety, his humility and gentleness, and his devotion to his...
being elected Principal instead. However since Colvill had already given in his demission to his church and left Holland, he was allowed a year’s stipend for his trouble and expense.
When Leighton became Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Dunblane
Dunblane
Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High...
in 1662, Colvill - having since returned to Scotland - finally became Principal.
Colvill was the author of a work entitled Ethica Christiana, which was in considerable repute in those days.
External links
- Colville family history
- A. S. Wayne Pearce, ‘Colville, William (d. 1675)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004