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Fraserburgh University

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The University of Fraserburgh was a short-lived university founded in 1592 in Fraserburgh, Scotland by Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth.

University of Fraserburgh
Facing down two lane street with a row of bungalows on the right
College Bounds, a possible site of the university.
TypeAncient University
Active1592–1605/1617
FounderSir Alexander Fraser
Location
Fraserburgh
,
Aberdeenshire
,
Scotland
CampusUniversity town

History

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In 1592, Fraserburgh (prior to that known as Faithlie) became a Burgh of royalty, despite protests from Aberdeen over the infringement on their rights. In the same year,[1] Fraser gained a charter to establish a university there,[2][3] with the general assembly of the town quickly supporting it, offering the patronage of two of the town's churches.[4] It is likely that Earl Marischal's personal rivalry with Fraser resulted in him founding Marischal College in Aberdeen.[5] The university was confirmed in 1597 by parliament, who agreed to reimburse the costs of establishing it, since Fraser had expended much of his fortune on the scheme, and the general assembly granted land to Fraser for the university.

 
Fraserburgh South Kirk, site of Moses Tablet

Charles Ferme, an alumnus of the University of Edinburgh who had previously been made Minister of Philorth in 1598,[6] was made the principal of the university in 1600,[7] which was at this point a 'spacious quadrangular building', three stories in height, located to the west of the town.[8][9] However, after Ferme was sent to prison for taking part in the general assembly of Aberdeen, now without a principal, the university failed to develop and was closed around 1605. There is no record of any teaching taking place.[10]

Later history

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In 1609, Ferme was restored to his parish and college, where he continued to teach until his death in 1617.[7][11] The writing by Ferme (such as the lost 'Lectiones in Esterem' and the surviving 'Analysis logica in epistolam apostoli Pauli ad Romanos') indicate that teaching did take place. After the death of Ferme, the college fell into decay, losing out to Marischal College, and closed for good.[12]

During the 1647 plague breakout in Aberdeen, King's College was temporarily moved to the old college buildings.[13]

The college buildings were demolished by the early 18th century.[14] In the mid 19th century, Rev. A. Gruar Forbes described the remains of the college:

The old tower can scarcely be said to be still extant. It has been reduced to a heap, and is almost covered with soil and herbage. Last time I saw it there was a couple of goats feeding on the top of it.

The only surviving part of the college is the Moses Tablet, previously set in the wall above the door of the parish school, now built into the interior wall of Fraserburgh South Parish Church, having been moved inside the building in October 1969.[15][16]

Legacy

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In the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre, there is a plaque commemorating the university's existence.[citation needed]

Faculty

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Staff

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Students

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  • William Rires

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fraserburgh". www.fraserburgh.org. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  2. ^ "University News". Aberdeen University Review. 53. Aberdeen University Press: 173. 1989. LCCN 16018960.
  3. ^ Oram, Richard D.; Cathcart, Ali; Martin, Paula; McKean, Charles; Neighbour, Tim (2010). Historic Fraserburgh: Archaeology and Development. Council for British Archaeology. p. 32. ISBN 9781902771793.
  4. ^ Wells, R. P. (2004). "Fraser, Sir Alexander, of Philorth (1537?–1623), founder of Fraserburgh". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10099. Retrieved 18 May 2024. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. ^ Reid, Steven John (November 2007). "Aberdeen's 'Toun College': Marischal College, 1593–1623". The Innes Review. 58 (2): 173–195. doi:10.3366/E0020157X07000054. ISSN 0020-157X. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024.
  6. ^ "History - Fraserburgh Old Parish Church". 8 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Charles Ferme (1565 or 6-1617) - Our History". Our History (University of Edinburgh). Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Fraserburgh, College Bounds | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  9. ^ Lewis, S. (1846). A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. pp. 454–5.
  10. ^ Donald, Stuart. "Scotland's First Fifth University?" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  11. ^ Gordon, Alexander; MacDonald, Alan R. (2004). "Ferme [Fairholm], Charles (1565/6–1617), Church of Scotland minister and university principal". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9342. Retrieved 12 October 2024. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  12. ^ Ferme, Charles; Alexander, William Lindsay (1850). A logical analysis of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Translated by Skae, William. Wodrow Society. pp. 19–22.
  13. ^ Bulloch, John Malcolm (1895). A History of the University of Aberdeen, 1495-1895. Hodder and Stoughton. p. 118. ISBN 9781022269729.
  14. ^ "Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record - Aberdeenshire - NJ96NE0028 - FRASERBURGH". online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. ^ Granite, Grey (11 August 2013). "Walking The Line: Fraserburgh South Church, the Moses Stone and Fraserburgh University". Walking The Line. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Looking Back: Moses Stone". www.lifeandwork.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
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