Francis Nicoll (1771–1835) was a seniorChurch of Scotland who served both as Principal ofSt Andrews University andModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1809, the highest position in theChurch of Scotland
He was born inLossiemouth in 1771 the third son of John Nicoll, a merchant. He was educated atKing's College, Aberdeen graduating MA in 1789.[1]
He was licensed to preach as aChurch of Scotland minister by the Presbytery ofElgin in 1793, but, failing to find a patron (as was then required) he acted as a tutor to the family ofSir James Grant of Grant. In September 1797 he was ordained as minister ofAuchtertool, translating to the parish ofMains and Strathmartine in September 1799.[1]
He was awarded aDoctor of Divinity (DD) in 1807.[2]
In 1809 he succeededRev Dr Andrew Grant asModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.[3]
In 1819 he was appointed Principal ofSt Andrews University in place ofRev Prof James Playfair, resigning in September 1824. He died on 8 October 1835.[1]
He was portrayed byRobert Moore Hodgetts.[4]
In October 1814 he married Anne Ramsay of Edinburgh (d.1842). They had two daughters and a son.