Rev. Dr. William Guild


1586 - 1657

Academic and theologian. Born in Aberdeen, the son of an armourer, Guild was educated at Marischal College. He was ordained as the Minister of King Edward parish in Aberdeenshire in 1608 and served there until 1631. He involved himself with church and national politics, speaking against the 'Five Articles of Perth' and met King James VI (1566 - 1625) during his visit to Edinburgh in 1617. Guild accepted the Episcopacy; he dedicated his best-known work Moses Unveiled to James VI in 1620 and was appointed a Chaplain to King Charles I (1600-49). He moved to Aberdeen in 1631 and, slightly grudgingly, signed the National Covenant in 1638. When the Covenanting Army under William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal (1610-70), and James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose (1612-50), approached Aberdeen to enforce the Covenant, Guild temporarily sought refuge in the Netherlands, but soon returned, fully accepting Presbyterian practices. He was invited to serve as Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, in 1640 and occupied this position until ousted by Oliver Cromwell's administration in 1651.

He died in Aberdeen and left generous benefactions to the city. Guild Street in Aberdeen is named in his honour, as is the William Guild Building which is home to the University of Aberdeen's Psychology department.


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