John Colville (c. 1540–1605)


John Colville, Scottish clergyman, judge, politician and author, was the son of Robert Colville of Cleish, in Kinross.

Career

Educated at the University of St Andrews, he became a Presbyterian minister, but occupied himself chiefly with political intrigue, sending secret information to the English government concerning Scottish affairs. He joined the party of the Earl of Gowrie, and took part in the Raid of Ruthven in 1582. In 1587 he for a short time occupied a seat on the judicial bench, and was burgh commissioner for Stirling in the Parliament of Scotland.
Colville was in London in 1589 and collected £1000, a gift from Queen Elizabeth to James VI of Scotland, and £2000 worth of gilt silver plate supplied by the London goldsmith Richard Martin. This present, a magnificent cupboard of plate, was intended for the reception of Anne of Denmark.
In December 1591 he was implicated in the Earl of Bothwell's attack on Holyrood Palace, and was outlawed with the earl. He retired abroad, and is said to have joined the Roman Church.
He died in Paris in 1605.

Works

Colville was the author of several works, including an Oratio Funebris on Elizabeth I of England, and some political and religious controversial essays. He is said to be the author also of The Historie and Life of King James the Sext.
Colville's Original Letters, 1582–1603, published by the Bannatyne Club in 1858, contains a biographical memoir by the editor, David Laing.

Marriage and children

Colville married Janet Russell in 1572. Their children included: