Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Colville, Alexander (1620-1676)

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
1320783Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 11 — Colville, Alexander (1620-1676)1887Thomas Finlayson Henderson

COLVILLE, ALEXANDER (1620–1676), Scottish episcopalian divine, eldest son of John Colville of Wester Cumbrae, by right third lord Colville, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Melville of Halhil, was born in 1620. He was educated at the university of Edinburgh, and for some time had a charge at Dysart, Fifeshire. Subsequently he became professor of Hebrew and theology in the university of Sedan, France, under the patronage of the reformed churches. He was the author of several pamphlets against the presbyterians, and of a humorous poem called the 'Scotch Hudibras.' He died at Edinburgh in 1676. By his wife Ann le Blanc he had two sons. He is erroneously stated to have been principal of Edinburgh University.

[Douglas's Scottish Peerage (Wood), i. 355; Anderson's Scottish Nation.]

T. F. H.