Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Historical

James Blair

James Blair was a Scottish-born Anglican clergyman, educator, and colonial official best known as the founder and first president of the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

James Blair was a Scottish-born clergyman and educator who founded the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He lived from around 1655 to 1743.

Early life and education

Blair was probably born in Scotland around 1655 or 1656. He studied at Marischal College in Aberdeen and earned an M.A. from the University of Edinburgh in 1673, before being ordained in the Church of Scotland in 1679.

Founding the College of William & Mary

After moving to Virginia in 1685, Blair became a key Anglican leader. He helped secure a royal charter for the College of William & Mary in 1693 and served as its first president for life, shaping early American higher education.

Legacy and writings

Blair also sat on the Virginia Council and wrote *The Present State of Virginia*, linking church, education, and colonial governance. His work left a lasting mark on Virginia's religious and political life.

In short

  • Founded the College of William & Mary in 1693
  • First president of the college for life
  • Scottish-born Anglican clergyman in Virginia
  • Married Sarah Harrison in 1687
Canadian angle

James Blair has no major direct Canada-specific connection in the available sources; his main significance is in Scottish, Anglican, and early Virginian colonial history.

Quick questions

Who is James Blair?
James Blair was a Scottish-born Anglican clergyman and educator best known as the founder and first president of the College of William & Mary in Virginia.
How old is James Blair?
James Blair was born around 1655 or 1656 and died in 1743, so he lived to about 86 or 87 years old.
Is James Blair married?
Yes. He married Sarah Harrison in 1687.

Sources

  1. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/james-blair
    Supports: Birth in Scotland, education, move to Virginia, marriage, role in founding William and Mary, writings, death in Virginia.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Blair
    Supports: Born May 1656 in Banffshire, Scotland; died 18 April 1743 in Williamsburg; founder of the College of William and Mary.
  3. Encyclopedia Virginia — https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/blair-james-ca-1655-1743/
    Supports: Probable birthplace and birth period, education, marriage, death, burial, and colonial career details.
  4. William & Mary Special Collections Knowledgebase — https://scrc-kb.libraries.wm.edu/james-blair
    Supports: First president of William & Mary, term from 1693 to 1743, marriage to Sara Harrison, founding role.