James Melville was born near Montrose, Angus, on 26 July 1556. He was the nephew of the scholar and reformer Andrew Melville (1545-1622). He was educated locally at Logie and at Montrose before studying at St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews. While there he heard John Knox preach. Although it was originally intended that he follow law as a career, his studies were directed towards entering the church and he was instructed in Greek and Hebrew by Andrew Melville. When his uncle became Principal of Glasgow University in 1574, the young Melville accompanied him, becoming a Regent (or Professor) in 1575, teaching Greek, logic and mathematics. When his uncle then became Principal of St. Mary's College (or New College), St. Andrews, in 1580, he again accompanied him, this time as Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages. Melville supported his uncle in his views on the authority of the new Presbyterian church and so he too would always be on a collision course with the King, living under the threat of imprisonment. In 1586 he took charge of the Parish of Anstruther Wester in Fife, later reduced to Anstruther Easter and Kilrenny. In 1589 he was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. In 1606 Melville accompanied his uncle to the Hampton Court Conference out of which came the proposal for the King James Version of the Bible. When Andrew Melville was later imprisoned in the Tower of London, the younger Melville was permitted to leave London but ordered not to go further north than Newcastle-upon-Tyne. James Melville died in Berwick-upon-Tweed on 13 January 1614.
From the guide to the Material relating to James Melville (1556-1614), 1608-1610, (Edinburgh University Library)
