John Forbes

1593-1648. Most prominent of the Aberdeen Doctors.* After studying at continental universities he was appointed professor of divinity at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1620. A man of great integrity, he was a defender of episcopacy and a notable theologian. He was deposed in 1639 after disagreeing with the policies of the Covenanters,* and was evicted from the residence which, formerly his own, he had made over to the university. Worse was to follow. Being reluctant later to sign the Solemn League and Covenant,* he felt compelled in 1644 to leave the country for Holland, where he spent two years. Even after his return to Scotland the more extreme among the Presbyterians had not forgiven his opposition: it was Forbes's wish to be buried beside his wife and father in St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, but this was refused, and he rests in the kirkyard at Leochel. Among his works was Instructiones Historico-Theologicae de Doctrina Christiana (1645).