Kennedy, James

Kennedy, James a Scotch prelate, grandson, by his mother, of Robert III of Scotland, was born in 1405 (?). I After studying at home, he was sent to the Continent to finish his education, entered the Church, and as early as in 1437 became bishop of Dunkeld, and in 1440. exchanged for the more important see of St. Andrew. He next made a journey to Florence, to lay before pope Eugenius IV the plan of the reforms he intended introducing in the administration of his diocese. On his return (1444) he was made lord chancellor, and as such took an active part in the affairs of Scotland. Pained at witnessing the discords which marked the first years of the reign of James II, he again applied to the pope for advice; but the latter's intervention, which he thought would restore peace, did not have this result. During the minority of James III he sat in the council of the regency, and, according to Buchanan, used his influence there for the public good... He died at St. Andrew, May 10, 1466. Kennedy founded and endowed the college of San Salvador, which afterwards became the University of St. Andrew. He is reputed to have written a work entitled Monita Politica, and also a history of his times, both of which are probably lost. ' See Mackenzie, Lives; Crawford; Lives of Statesmen; Buchanan, History of Scotland; Chambers, Illustrious Scotsmen; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 27, 560. (J. N. P.)