ROBERTSON, WILLIAM (1721-1793), Scottish historian, born at Borthwick, Midlothian, on Sept. 19, 1721, was the eldest son of the Rev. William Robertson. He was educated at the school of Dalkeith and the University of Edinburgh. In 1743 he was presented to the living of Gladsmuir in East Lothian. His services in the '45 were rewarded by his election as a member of the General Assembly, where his influence as leader of the "moderate" party was for many years nearly supreme. (See PRESBYTERIANISM.) Robertson's History of Scotland during the Reigns of Queen Mary and of James VI. until his Accession to the Crown of Eng land begun in 1753, was published in two volumes in 1759 (19th ed. 1812). Before the end of the author's life the book had reached its 14th edition; and it soon brought him other rewards than literary fame. In 1759 he was appointed chaplain of Stirling castle, in 1761 one of His Majesty's chaplains in ordinary, and in 1762 he was chosen principal of the University of Edinburgh.
In May 1763 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly, and in August king's historiographer. His other works were: History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles the Fifth (3 vols., 1769) which had a European reputation and was translated into French in 1771, German, 1770-71, Italian, 1835, and Spanish, 1846; History of America (2 vols., 1777) ; Disquisition concern ing the Knowledge which the Ancients had of India (1791).
There are lives of Robertson by Dugald Stewart (Edinburgh, 1801 and 1802), prefixed to most of the collective editions of his works; by George Gleig, bishop of Brechin (Edinburgh, 1812) ; and by Lord Brougham in Lives of Men of Letters, etc. (1845-1846). Robertson's works were edited with a life by D. Stewart (8 vols. 1817) and were translated into French in 12 vols. (1829) by J. B. Suard and others.