James Livingston (bishop)

James Livingston was a 15th-century cleric from East Lothian in south-eastern Scotland. Born at an unknown date in the 15th century, he was a son of the Laird of Saltcoats.^[1] He chose a career in the church, and became rector of the churches of Forteviot and Weme, and vicar of Innerleithen.^[1] By 1474, if not earlier, he had become dean for the whole diocese of Dunkeld.^[2] After the death of Thomas Lauder, Livingston was chosen as his successor as Bishop of Dunkeld.^[3] Although Livingston's appointment was contested at Rome by Thomas Spens, Bishop of Aberdeen, who wanted to be translated to Dunkeld,^[1] Livingston was consecrated on 30 June 1476.^[3] Livingston's episcopate is relatively obscure; he spent a good deal of time in Edinburgh, where he is witness to several charters.^[1] He died at Edinburgh,^[1] on 28 August 1483.^[4] He was buried in Inchcolm.^[1]

Notes

References

• Dowden, John, The Bishops of Scotland, ed. J. Maitland Thomson, (Glasgow, 1912)
• Watt, D.E.R., Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae Medii Aevi ad annum 1638, 2nd Draft, (St Andrews, 1969)

This page was last edited on 3 September 2023, at 00:34