Robert Paterson (principal)

Paterson was born c. 1635, in Foveran, to John Paterson (later Bishop of Ross) and Elizabeth Ramsay. His siblings included John Paterson later (Archbishop of Glasgow); George Paterson of Seafield (commissary); Sir William Paterson of Granton (barrister and clerk to the privy council); and a daughter, Isabella, who married Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie.^[1]

He was educated at Marischal College becoming a "regent" in 1657.^[2] In 1671, he started teaching the "Bajan class" at the college and in 1673 was appointed college librarian. In November 1678, he replaced James Leslie as principal of Marischal College.^[2]

He was dismissed as principal due to his Jacobite sympathies in 1717 and died shortly thereafter.^[3]

He married Agnes Carnegie daughter of David Carnegie of Craige, minister of Farnell. They had two sons and five daughters.