Robert Reid (bishop)

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Robert Reid (d. 1558) was abbot of Kinloss, commendator-prior of Beauly, and bishop of Orkney. He was one of the greatest of the bishops of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Scotland, and his legacy was the founding of the University of Edinburgh.

Robert Reid became the abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Kinloss Abbey at Kinloss, Moray, and also held the priory of Beauly in commendam. He was respected for his learning and wisdom, and brought the Italian scholar, Giovanni Ferrerio of Piedmont to Kinloss in 1528. Ferrerio's teachings over a five year period made Kinloss a centre of academic excellence, and he wrote a continuation of Hector Boece's history, extending it to the end of the reign of James III of Scotland.

Robert commissioned altarpieces for the abbey church from the artist Andrew Bairhum, who also decorated some of the bishop's rooms, and had a new library built. While abbot, Reid was sent on diplomatic missions as the king’s commissioner, discussing peace with Henry VIII of England and going to France in connection with the marriage of James V of Scotland.

Reid was made Bishop of Orkney in 1541, and had extensive alterations made to the Bishop's Palace which was his official residence adjoining St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. He continued as Commendator of Kinloss in his post at Kinloss until 1553, then resigned in favour of his nephew, Walter Reid. At his death in 1558 Robert Reid left the funds that ultimately provided the endowment for the University of Edinburgh.