William Crosse, Regius Professor of Civil Law in the University of Glasgow, 1746–1749: A Failure of Enlightened Patronage
William Crosse, Regius Professor of Civil Law in the University of Glasgow, 1746–1749: A Failure of Enlightened Patronage
This chapter examines issues of politics and personality that surrounded the nomination of William Crosse as chair in Civil Law in the University of Glasgow. It first considers the influence of patronage on legal education by focusing on Archibald Campbell, first Earl of Ilay and third Duke of Argyll, and more specifically how and to what effect he used his influence. Contrary to the desires of the masters, Crosse gained the royal appointment. It was procured for him by Argyll, although Crosse was not his own choice. However, the masters succeeded in forcing him out and replaced him with Hercules Lindesay. Although the election to a chair could be brokered by powerful men, the chapter shows that the relationships of patronage involved were ambiguous: it was certainly not the case that those at the supposed centre of political power had a free hand in such professorial appointments.
Keywords: politics, personality, William Crosse, University of Glasgow, patronage, legal education, Archibald Campbell, Hercules Lindesay, professorial appointments
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