BARCLAY, William, a learned civilian, was born in Aberdeenshire in the year 1541. He spent the early part of his life, and much of his fortune, at the court of Mary queen of Scots, from whose favour he had reason to expect preferment. In 1573 he went over to France, and at Bourges commenced student of civil law under the famous Cujacius. He continued some years in that seminary, where he took a doctor's degree; and was soon after appointed professor of civil law in the university of Pont-à-Mousson, then first founded by the duke of Lorraine. That prince afterwards made him counsellor of state and master of requests. Barclay, in the year 1581, married Ann de Mallaville, a French lady, by whom he had a son, who became a celebrated author, and of whom the reader will find an account in the next article. This youth the Jesuits would gladly have received into their society. His father refused his consent, and for that reason these disciples of Jesus soon contrived to ruin him with the duke his patron. Barclay now embarked for Britain, where King James I. offered him a considerable preferment, provided he would become a member of the church of England: but not choosing to comply, he returned to France in 1604; and, soon after his arrival, was appointed professor of civil law in the university of Angers, where he died the year following, and was buried in the Franciscan church. He was esteemed a learned civilian; and wrote elaborately in defence of the divine right of kings, in answer to Buchanan and others. The titles of his works are, 1. De regno et regali potestate, &c. 2. Commentarius in tit. pandectarum de rebus creditis, et de iurejurando. 3. De potestate papae, &c. 4. Primitia in vitam Agricole.