Thomas Craufurd, a graduate of St. Andrews University, had been elected Regent or Professor of Humanity at Edinburgh University on 29 March 1626. In February 1630, he was appointed to the rectorship of the Royal High School in Edinburgh. Craufurd was again elected to a University Chair in December 1640, this time becoming Professor of Mathematics. No-one had held this professorship since 1623. In January 1641 he was also received as a Regent of Philosophy. Craufurd was responsible for a history of the University, from its foundation in 1581 till the year 1646, and he had also been invited to write a Latin grammar. He had been placed on a list of candidates eligible for the post of Principal on the resignation and subsequent death of Robert Leighton in 1662. Professor Thomas Craufurd himself died in 1662. The Chair then remained dormant until 1674 when it was taken by James Gregory (d. 1675).
From the guide to the Collection of material relating to Professor Thomas Craufurd (d. 1662), 1652-1791, (Edinburgh University Library)
