Zachary Boyd

Who was Zachary Boyd?

Zachary Boyd was a Scottish religious writer.

Boyd was born into the family of Boyd of Pinkhill, Ayrshire. He first studied at the University of Glasgow and then went to Saumur in France. There he followed courses of his kinsman Robert Boyd and in 1611 became Regent Professor. He returned to Glasgow in 1621 and became Minister of Barony Parish in 1623. During the 1630s–1640s he served as Dean of Faculties, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the Glasgow University where he was highly praised as a preacher. He translated many parts of Scripture into uncouth verse and was also prolific, but unknown poet. Boyd donated his personal library and significant amount of money to the University, which was partly used for student scholarships.