Notable alumni of University of St Andrews

Edward Jenner

biologist · 1749–1823

English physician, scientist and pioneer of vaccination (1749–1823)

William, Prince of Wales

helicopter pilot · b. 1982

heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth Realms

Catherine, Princess of Wales

socialite · b. 1982

member of the British Royal Family and princess of Wales since 2022

Jean-Paul Marat

journalist · 1743–1793

politician and journalist during the French Revolution (1743-1793)

John Napier

theologian · 1550–1617

Scottish mathematician, physicist, and astronomer (1550–1617)

John Knox

theologian · 1514–1572

Scottish clergyman, writer and historian (1514–1572)

Alex Salmond

autobiographer · 1954–2024

Alba Party leader and First Minister of Scotland 2007–2014 (1954–2024)

James Black

cardiologist · 1924–2010

Scottish doctor and pharmacologist (1924–2010)

James II of Scotland

politician · 1430–1460

King of Scotland from 1437 to 1460

James A. Michener

autobiographer · 1907–1997

American author (1907-1997)

Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

aristocrat · b. 2003

noblewoman; daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Adam Ferguson

essayist · 1723–1816

Scottish philosopher and historian; (1723-1816)

Ian McDiarmid

television actor · b. 1944

Scottish actor and stage director

Andrew Lang

fairy tale scholar · 1844–1912

Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic (1844–1912)

Fay Weldon

television writer · 1931–2023

British writer (1931–2023)

John Playfair

geologist · 1748–1819

Scottish scientist and mathematician (1748-1819)

English zoologist and marine biologist (1790/1–1836)

George Buchanan

linguist · 1506–1582

Scottish historian and humanist scholar (1506-1582)

John Arbuthnot

mathematician · 1667–1735

Scottish physician, satirist and polymath in London (1667-1735)

Danny Blanchflower

sports commentator · 1926–1993

Northern Irish footballer (1926-1993)

Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin

diplomat · 1766–1841

British nobleman and diplomat (1766–1841)

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

television actor · b. 1981

American actor

Russell Kirk

peace activist · 1918–1994

American political theorist, moralist, historian, social critic, literary critic, and writer (1918–1994)

Michael Fallon

politician · b. 1952

British politician (born 1952)

James Wilson

jurist · 1742–1798

Justice on the US Supreme Court (1742-1798)

Bertie Charles Forbes

publisher · 1880–1954

American financial journalist, founder of Forbes Magazine (1880–1954)

John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll

aristocrat · 1845–1914

British nobleman and 4th Governor General of Canada (1845-1914)

Canadian parapsychologist, reincarnation researcher (1918–2007)

John Leslie

linguist · 1766–1832

British mathematician and physicist (1766–1832)

Hugh Blair

literary critic · 1718–1800

British philosopher

Scottish mathematician

Michael Victor Berry

theoretical physicist · b. 1941

British physicist

Hector Boece

philosopher · 1465–1536

Scottish philosopher and historian (1465–1536)

David Beaton

Catholic bishop · 1494–1546

Catholic cardinal (1494-1546)

William Dunbar

Catholic priest · 1460–1520

medieval Scottish poet and civil servant

Alastair Reynolds

science fiction writer · b. 1966

British science fiction author (born 1966)

Asha de Vos

marine biologist · b. 1979

marine biologist

Balfour Stewart

meteorologist · 1828–1887

British scientist (1828–1887)

John Hutton Balfour

scientific collector · 1808–1884

British botanist (1808-1884)

Thomas Chalmers

philosopher · 1780–1847

Scottish mathematician and leader of the Free Church of Scotlandl (1780-1847)

John Pringle

military physician · 1707–1782

Scottish physician

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

military officer · 1612–1650

Scottish nobleman, poet and soldier of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1612-1650)

Helen Bannerman

children's writer · 1862–1946

Scottish author of children's books (1862–1946)

Robert Henryson

poet · 1425–1506

15th-century Scottish makar (poet)

Thomas Thomson

botanist · 1773–1852

Scottish chemist

John Scott Russell

civil engineer · 1808–1882

British naval engineer (1808–1882)

Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll

politician · 1607–1661

Governed Scotland during Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1607-1661)

John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair

politician · 1847–1934

British politician, Governor General of Canada (1847-1934)

Gavin Douglas

linguist · 1474–1522

Scottish churchman, scholar, poet

Dougal Dixon

non-fiction writer · b. 1947

British author

Maxwell Tylden Masters

botanist · 1833–1907

British botanist (1833-1907)

John Jonston

lord of the manor · 1603–1675

physician and biologist (1603-1675)

Scottish soldier, statesman, diplomat, judge, spy and philosopher

Andrew Bell

Anglican priest · 1753–1832

British priest and educationalist (1753-1832)

British scholar (1928–2021)

Robert Fergusson

poet · 1750–1774

Scottish poet and writer (1750-1774)

William Wright

semitologist · 1830–1889

British orientalist and professor (1830–1889)

John Fleming

malacologist · 1785–1857

Scottish Presbyterian clergyman, naturalist, zoologist and geologist (1785–1857)

Paul J. McAuley

science fiction writer · b. 1955

British writer

Hikmat Abu Zayd

politician · 1922–2011

Egyptian politician and academic

Thomas Bowdler

chess player · 1754–1825

English physician and editor

David Lyndsay

genealogist · 1490–1555

Scottish noble and poet (c. 1490 – c. 1555)

Robert Aytoun

poet · 1570–1638

Scottish writer (c. 1570–1638)

William Forbes Skene

historian · 1809–1892

Scottish historian (1809-1892)

William Eagle Clarke

ornithologist · 1853–1938

British ornithologist (1853-1938)

Fiona Hill

political scientist · b. 1965

American foreign policy adviser (born 1965)

Peter Comensoli

Catholic bishop · b. 1964

Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Patrick Hamilton

Protestant theologian · 1504–1528

Scottish clergyman and martyr; (1504–1528)

John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee

politician · 1648–1689

Scottish general (1648-1689)

British actor

Robert Whytt

university teacher · 1714–1766

British physician (1714-1766)

British landscape designer and publisher (born 1964)

Bolanle Awe

researcher · b. 1933

First Nigerian Female Professor of History

Alexander Wilson

calligrapher · 1714–1786

Scottish surgeon, astronomer, mathematician and meteorologist (1714-1786)

Amina Mama

non-fiction writer · b. 1958

Nigerian-British writer, feminist and academic

William Wright

military physician · 1735–1819

British physician, botanist and slave owner (1735-1819)

Robert B. Lindsay

governor · 1824–1902

American politician (1824-1902)

Barbara Woodward

diplomat · b. 1961

British diplomat

William Bruce

architect · 1630–1710

Scottish architect (1630-1710)

Alexander Duff

theologian · 1806–1878

Scottish Christian missionary in India (1806–1878)

David Jackson

saxophonist · b. 1947

English progressive rock saxophonist, flautist, and composer

John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell

jurist · 1779–1861

British politician (1779-1861)

Catherine Stihler

researcher · b. 1973

Scottish politician, member of the European Parliament 1999-2019

James Key Caird

mathematician · 1837–1916

British mathematician (1837–1916)

Bruce Marshall

writer · 1899–1987

British writer (1899–1987)

Golding Bird

urologist · 1814–1854

British medical doctor (1814–1854)

Andrew Melville

linguist · 1545–1622

Scottish scholar, theologian and religious reformer

Feminist and journalist (1876-1949)

British philosopher (1872–1958)

Particle physicist

Malcolm Bruce

politician · b. 1944

British politician (born 1944)

Nigerian politician and public health physician

Churchman and diplomat

Scottish geographer and academic (1954–2012)

Lyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair

university teacher · 1818–1898

British politician and chemist (1818–1898)

Benjamin Ward Richardson

physiologist · 1828–1896

British physician and medical historian (1828–1896)

Edward Ellice

merchant · 1783–1863

British politician (1783-1863)

Chris Law

politician · b. 1969

Scottish politician (born 1969)

Patience Mthunzi

university teacher · b. 1976

South African laser scientist

Nigerian politician (1906-1995)

William Craigie

lexicographer · 1867–1957

Scottish philologist and lexicographer (1867–1957)

Dirk Moses

university teacher · b. 1967

Australian historian (born 1967)

Scottish linguist (1798-1868)

Ian Duncan

politician · b. 1973

British politician (born 1973)

Scottish theologian

Desmond Swayne

politician · b. 1956

British politician (born 1956)

John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl

politician · 1660–1724

Scottish politician and noble (1660-1724)

George Reid

film producer · 1939–2025

Scottish politician (1939–2025)

Alexander Henderson

Christian minister · 1583–1646

Minister of the Church of Scotland, theologian; (1583-1646)

Stephen Doughty

columnist · b. 1980

Welsh politician and MP (born 1980)

Christopher Chope

politician · b. 1947

British politician (born 1947)

Nigerian politician

English actress

Nigerian educator and civil servant

Archibald Constable

publisher · 1774–1827

Scottish printer and publisher

Scottish screenwriter (1927-2006)

Christina McKelvie

trade unionist · 1968–2025

British politician (1968-2025)

British scientist, traveller and author (1736-1818)

Michelle Duncan

film actor · b. 1978

British actress

Duncan Sommerville

painter · 1879–1934

Scottish mathematician (1879-1934)

Barry Gardiner

politician · b. 1957

British politician (born 1957)

Scottish folklorist, Bible translator, Gaelic scholar (1644-1692)

British chemist (1898-1975)

British colonial administrator (1915-2006)

Bethwell Allan Ogot

university teacher · 1929–2025

Kenyan historian (1929-2025)

Scottish Canadian fantasy writer (1933-2018)

Jamie Stone

politician · b. 1954

Scottish politician (born 1954)

British-Austrian translator and scholar

Alan Haworth, Baron Haworth

politician · 1948–2023

British politician (1948–2023)

George Gillespie

Christian minister · 1613–1648

Minister of the Church of Scotland, theologian (1613-1648)

Hugo Swire, Baron Swire

auctioneer · b. 1959

British politician (born 1959)

David Nott

surgeon · b. 1956

Welsh consultant surgeon

John Scott Keltie

geographer · 1840–1927

British geographer (1840–1927)

Leonard Huxley

publisher · 1860–1933

British writer (1860-1933)

Vera Wentworth

suffragette · 1890–1957

UK suffragette

British historian

William McIntosh

marine biologist · 1838–1931

Scottish physician and marine zoologist (1838-1931)

Scottish diplomat and Member of Parliament, poet and philosopher

Elspeth Attwooll

politician · b. 1943

British politician (born 1943)

British swimmer

James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth

politician · 1648–1716

Scottish politician and Jacobite

Charles B. Macdonald

golfer · 1855–1939

Amateur golfer, golf course architect (1855–1939)

James Bowman Lindsay

physicist · 1799–1862

British inventor (1799-1862)

British geneticist

Helen-Ann Hartley

Anglican priest · b. 1973

British Anglican bishop and academic (born 1973)

Jerzy Pietrkiewicz

literary scholar · 1916–2007

writer and poet (1916-2007)

Scottish philosopher (1844–1897)

John Goodsir

anatomist · 1814–1867

Scottish anatomist (1814–1867)

Malcolm Longair

university teacher · b. 1941

British astronomer (1941-)

Francis Scott

aristocrat · 1626–1651

2nd Earl of Buccleuch

George Mackenzie

heraldist · 1636–1691

Scottish lawyer, Lord Advocate, essayist and legal writer (1636 – 1691)

English botanist (1767-1849)

American mineralogist

American mathematician

British film critic

Elsie Howey

suffragette · 1884–1963

Howey, (Rose) Elsie Neville (1884–1963), suffragette

Olivier Sarkozy

banker · b. 1969

French-American businessman

theologian and proponent of the death of God movement (1924–2012)

Narendra Patel, Baron Patel

obstetrician · b. 1938

British obstetrician and life peer

James Crichton

fencer · 1560–1582

Scottish polymath

English children's writer

British writer

Lily Dougall

religious writer · 1858–1923

Canadian writer

British academic and mathematician (1926–2014)

Walter Coutts

politician · 1912–1988

British politician; Governor-General of Uganda (1912-1988)

T. Cooper Evans

politician · 1924–2005

American politician (1924–2005)

Scottish politician (born 1972)

William Cullen, Baron Cullen of Whitekirk

politician · b. 1935

British judge and lawyer (born 1935)

John Marshall

council member · 1940–2025

British politician

Belinda Wilkes

astrophysicist · b. 1901

English astrophysicist

Nazira Karodia

chemist · b. 1950

South African-British scientist

Ghanaian politician

Kathleen Stock

philosopher · b. 1972

British philosopher (1972-)

Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean

banker · b. 1954

Scottish politician and banker (born 1954)

Ernest William Lyons Holt

ichthyologist · 1864–1922

British soldier and scientist (1864-1922)

Nicola Clayton

zoologist · b. 1962

British professor of comparative cognition

William Maitland of Lethington

diplomat · 1525–1573

Scottish politician

Douglas Argyll Robertson

ophthalmologist · 1837–1909

Scottish ophthalmic surgeon (1837–1909)

Andrew Mackenzie

geologist · b. 1956

Scottish businessman

British historian and academic (1924–2013)

British writer; (1784-1848)

Scottish author and critic (1750-1830)

British quantitative geneticist (1913-2004)

James Younger, 5th Viscount Younger of Leckie

politician · b. 1955

5th Viscount Younger Of Leckie (born 1955)

Violetta Thurstan

sailor · 1879–1978

nurse and weaver

Alexander Scrymgeour, 12th Earl of Dundee

politician · b. 1949

Scottish peer (born 1949)

David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan

antiquarian · 1742–1829

British antiquarian; (1742-1829)

Douglas Young

linguist · 1913–1973

Scottish classical scholar and politician (1913-1973)

Elizabeth Barchas Prelogar

beauty pageant contestant · b. 1980

Solicitor General of the United States since 2021

British academic (1926–1982)

British academic

mathematician (1906-1966)

Madsen Pirie

philosopher · b. 1940

British academic

Annot Robinson

suffragist · 1874–1925

British suffragist and pacifist (1874-1925)

Christian Keysers

neuroscientist · b. 1973

French and German neuroscientist

British medieval historian

Liana Flores

folk musician · b. 1999

British-Brazilian indie folk musician

Scottish philosopher

Stewart Duke-Elder

ophthalmologist · 1898–1978

British ophthalmologist (1898-1978)

James Beaton

precentor · 1473–1539

Scottish church leader; (1473-1539)