HALYBURTON

halyburton, james (1518-1589), scottish reformer, was born in 1518, and was educated at st andrews, where he graduated m.a. in 1538. from 1553 to 1586 he was provost of st andrews and a prominent figure in the national life. he was chosen as one of the lords of the congregation in 1557, and commanded the contingents sent by forfar and fife against the queen regent in 1559. he took part in the defence of edinburgh, and in the battles of langside (1568) and restalrig (1571). he had stoutly opposed the marriage of mary with darnley, and when, after restalrig, he was captured by the queen's troops, he narrowly escaped execution. he represented morton at the conference of 1578, and was one of the royal commissioners to the general assembly in 1582 and again in 1588. he died in february 1589.