Alexander Monro

Alexander Monro (1648–1698) was the Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1685 to 1690. Life Monro was fourth son of Isobel, daughter of Robert Munro, 6th of Coul, 5th of Balconie, and her husband, Hugh Munro, 4th laird of Fyresh. He was the first of his branch of the family to spell his name Monro as opposed to Munro. He studied for the Church at St Salvator's College at the University of St Andrews, graduating with an MA in 1664. He then accompanied, while aged 17, his cousin Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Munro, who was Colonel of Horse in Lord Dumbarton's Regiment (and also a captain in the Royal Scots, 1st Foot Regiment) to France. Alexander Monro saw active service there for two and a half years, before returning to Scotland to complete his education. He resumed studies at St Mary's College (now New College), St Andrews, and graduated MA from there in 1669. He was ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland in 1673, and on 7 April 1673 he was admitted to the second charge in Dunfermline, housed in Dunfermline Abbey. On 26 March 1676 he was translated to Kinglassie in Fife and on 26 April 1678 was translated to the parish of Wemyss. He resigned before March, 1683 having been nominated as Professor of Divinity at St Mary's College, St Andrews by the then Chancellor Archbishop James Sharp of St Andrews. From 1682 to 1685 he was Principal of the University of St Andrews. In February 1682 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) by the University of St Andrews.