Melville, Andrew

(1545–1622)

   Theologian and Denomination Founder.

   Melville was born near Montrose, Scotland. He was appointed to a Chair at the University of Geneva (where he had come under the influence of Theodore beza). On his return to Scotland, he became the Principal of the University of Glasgow and later he was appointed Rector of St Andrews. A determined Presbyterian, he refused the offer of the Archbishopric of St Andrews and he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Scottish Church in 1582. Under his leadership, the Assembly rati- fied his Presbyterian ‘Second Book of Discipline’. His stand incurred the wrath of King James VI and he was, on one occasion, compelled to live outside Scotland for nearly two years. Later, in 1606, when James had also inherited the English throne, he was summoned to explain himself in London and this led to four years’ confinement in the Tower of London. He spent the remainder of his life as Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Sedan. Melville’s influence must be seen as second only to that of John Knox in the setting up of the Church of Scotland.

   R.S. Wright (ed.), Fathers of the Kirk (1960).