Andrew Fairfoul

Who is Andrew Fairfoul?

Andrew Fairfoul was the first post-Restoration Archbishop of Glasgow, from 1661 until his death in November 1663. He became Chancellor of Glasgow University after his consecration as Archbishop.

Fairfoul was the son of a minister from Anstruther and studied at the University of St Andrews. He became chaplain to the Earl of Rothes and then Minister of North Leith and later of Dunse. He was nominated for the Archbishopric by King Charles II and consecrated in London on 15 December 1661. On 19 April 1662 Fairfoul made his public entry into Glasgow accompanied by the Earl of Glencairn, the Lord Chancellor of Scotland who was his predecessor as Chancellor of the University. The University's historian James Coutts refers to him as "a man of boisterous mirth and careless life",but quotes the recollection of Principal Robert Baillie that Fairfoul preached "soberly and well" on his first Sunday in the city. The Earl, the Archbishop and their entourage dined at the University the day after this first sermon, and the meal is said to have cost more than £200.

The Archbishop was heavily involved in energetic attempts by the Episcopalian authorities to root out Covenanters and other dissenters.