July 3rd 1582

The Admirable Crichton

He was certainly a prodigy, taking his BA at St Andrews at the age of twelve and his MA two years later. He set out on the Grand Tour of Europe and while in Paris issued a challenge to all in the city offering to dispute with any on literature, science or art in “Hebrew, Syriac, Dutch, Flemish or Sclavonic.” 

More than 3,000 people were present as he disputed with over fifty learned men who plied him with questions of every kind from nine in the morning until six at night. At the end he was addressed as L’Admirable Crichton and presented with a purse of gold and a diamond ring.

He visited other cities on the Continent with similar success, displaying a nice touch of self-advertisement in addition to his other abilities. From a handbill distributed in Venice, “He is most skilled in philosophy, theology, mathematics and astrology. He possesses a most thorough knowledge of the Cabala. His memory is so astonishing that he knows not what it is to forget. In his person he is extremely beautiful; his address is that of a finished gentleman. A soldier at all points, he has attained great excellence in leaping and dancing and to a remarkable skill in the use of every sort of arms. He is a remarkable horseman and an admirable jouster.” 

Sad to say, when only twenty-two years old, he was killed in a brawl at Mantua. Many believed that he was killed by the Prince of Mantua himself, or at least by his orders.