Delving much further back than the Kilmarnock Academy Archives reach, we’ve been looking at one of the earliest famous ex-pupils of Kilmarnock’s school. Zachary Boyd attended Kilmarnock’s school in c1600 before going on to study Divinity at the University of Glasgow. After studying in France, he returned to Glasgow to become Minister at the Barony Church, and Rector of the University. When he died in 1653 he left a large sum of money and his significant library to the University. His marble bust is in the Hunterian Museum.
Boyd also wrote poetry, which was printed in book form in 1855 by George Richardson, Printer to the University: Four Poems from ‘Zion’s Flowers;’ or ‘Christian poems for spiritual edification’ (image above). This very attractive edition is currently part of our Kilmarnock Academy Archives display – books by former pupils!
Zachary Boyd of Penkill was related to the Boyds of Dean Castle, who are the inspiration behind our Homecoming 2014 events. For more information on our Homecoming events at the Dean Castle go to the East Ayrshire Leisure website.