A Month of Scottish Gravestones - George Buchanan

 

George Buchanan was a scholar of Latin. He taught in both France and Spain and while in Spain, was imprisoned by the Inquisition. He spent two years of his incarceration translating the Psalms of David into Latin. 

Buchanan was the first to apply the term 'Celtic' to his native Gaelic culture. In 1561, he returned to Scotland where he tutored Mary, Queen of Scots. However, following the murder of Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, Buchanan denounced her.

In 1566 Buchanan was appointed Principal of St Leonard's College, St Andrews and the following year, he was appointed as the first lay moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. 

In 1570, Buchanan became tutor to the young James VI and was entrusted with giving the young king a protestant education, which was intended to turn him against his mother. Buchanan was also appointed as Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland. 

Late in his life, he published two of his most influential works: The Powers of the Crown in Scotland and A History of Scottish Matters. Buchanan died in September 1582 and is buried in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard.