The New International Encyclopædia/Carstares, William

CARSTARES, kär′stȧrz, or CARSTAIRS, William (1649-1715). A Scottish statesman and divine, born at Cathcart, near Glasgow, February 11, 1649. He was the son of the Rev. John Carstares, an extreme Covenanter, and was tutored by Sinclair, minister of Ormiston, East Lothian. He distinguished himself at Edinburgh University and graduated in 1667. Two years later he went to Utrecht to study theology, and there his accomplishments attracted the notice of the Prince of Orange, whose life-long friend and confidential adviser on English matters he became. He returned to England in 1674, and on suspicion of being part author of a pamphlet on Scottish grievances, was first committed to the Tower, then transferred to Edinburgh, and kept in prison until 1679. In 1682 he went to London and negotiated between the English and Scotch conspirators in the Rye House Plot. He was arrested and put to the torture of the thumbscrew, but only partly confessed, when assured that his depositions would not be used against any one. Unfortunately, his evidence, notwithstanding his strenuous expostulations, led to the execution of Baillie of Jerviswood (q.v.). He returned to Holland in 1685, and, acting mainly on his advice, the Prince of Orange planned and carried out the invasion of England in 1688. He accompanied the Prince as chaplain, and when the Prince was established as William III., effected a reconciliation between him and the Scottish Church. From 1693 to 1702 he wielded great influence in Scottish affairs, and, owing to his authority in Church matters, was nicknamed ‘Cardinal Carstairs.’ He was elected principal of the Edinburgh University in 1704, and used his influenee to increase the patronage of Scottish colleges. In the same year he became minister of Greyfriars Church, and was appointed moderator of the General Assembly, an office to which he was four times elected in eleven years. On a visit to London in 1707 he received a medal and the personal thanks of Queen Anne for his assistance in passing the Act of Union. He succumbed to an attack of apoplexy December 28, 1715, leaving a reputation for scholarship, piety, charity, and political sagacity.

Consult: McCormick, “Life of Carstares,” prefixed to State Papers and Letters Addressed to William Carstares (London, 1774); Story, Character and Career of William Carstares (London, 1874).