St Mary's College, St Andrews

The College of St Mary of the University of St Andrews, in full, the New College of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded in 1539 by Archbishop James Beaton, uncle of Cardinal David Beaton.

Related Topics:
University of St Andrews - Assumption - Blessed Virgin Mary - 1539 - Archbishop - James Beaton - Cardinal - David Beaton

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St Mary's College was intended to preserve the teachings of the Roman Catholic church against the "heretical" teachings of the reformers. It was dedicated to a revival of learning on the Continental trilingual model and from the outset laid emphasis on the knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. In 1579, nineteen years after the Reformation brought fundamental changes to the religious life of the Scottish nation, St Mary's College was reconstituted as the Theological Faculty of the University.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Latin - Greek - Hebrew - 1579 - Reformation - Scottish nation

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In that role the college has continued ever since, marked by an illustrious succession of scholars and teachers, and, in modern times especially, by a stream of alumni who have distinguished themselves and served Church and community in every part of the world. At present the Faculty and School of Divinity forms an academic community of some 216 persons: 16 members of staff; 55 postgraduate students; and 145 undergraduates.

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Visitors to St Mary's may see many of the original sixteenth century buildings, and the Quad contains a thorn tree said to have been planted by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Related Topics:
Sixteenth century - Mary, Queen of Scots

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