Stewart, William, Bishop of Aberdeen (1479 -1545)

William Stewart was the second son of Sir Thomas Stewart of Minto, of the family of Garlies, and Isabel, second daughter of Walter Stewart of Arthurlie. Educated at Glasgow University, he took his B.A. there in 1494, and his licentiate in the following year, he then probably studied canon law abroad. He was Parson of Lochmaben, Rector of Ayr and Prebend of Glasgow. In 1527 he became Dean of Glasgow, Lord High Treasurer 2 October 1530, and at the same time obtained the Provostry of Lincluden. He was elected Bishop of Aberdeen 14 November 1532. In 1534 he went as Ambassador to England to negotiate a peace treaty, returning successful in July of the same year. On the 5 August he was sent to France to negotiate the marriage of James V and Marie de Bourbon. He resigned the Treasurership in 1537. He is said to have built the library of King's College, Aberdeen and furnished it with a number of books.