Elphinstone
WILLIAM, a Scottish prelate, founder of King's College and University, Aberdeen; born in Glasgow, in 1431. He was educated at Glasgow College, and served four years as priest of St. Michael's in that city. He then went to France and became Professor of Law, first at Paris and subsequently at Orleans, but about 1471-1474 he returned home at the request of Muirhead, Bishop of Glasgow, who made him commissary of the diocese. In 1478 he was made commissary of the Lothians, and in 1479 Archdeacon of Argyle. Soon after he was made Bishop of Ross; and in 1483 was transferred to the see of Aberdeen. In 1484 and 1486 he was commissioned to negotiate truces with England, and in 1488 was lord highchancellor of the kingdom for several months. He was next sent on a mission to Germany, and after his return held the office of lord privy-seal till his death, in 1514.