Purge of Episcopalian and Jacobite Staff, 1690

Following an act of the Scottish Parliament in July 1690, a visitation of the Scottish universities was instituted with the aim of rooting out Episcopalian and Jacobite sympathizers among the teaching staff. The visitation committee that examined Edinburgh University ordered the dismissal of Alexander Monro (c1648-1698), then Principal of the University, and John Strachan (c1635-1699), Professor of Divinity. Monro was replaced as Principal by one of his inquisitors Gilbert Rule (c1629-1701).