Crichton

Crichton, James, generally known as "The Admirable Crichton," was born at Elwick, Dumfriesshire, N.B., or at Cluny Castle, Perthshire, in 1560, being the son of the Lord Advocate of Scotland, who had married a descendant of the old Scottish kings. He was educated at St. Andrews, and at the age of 20 was reputed to be master of ten languages, besides excelling all his contemporaries in good looks, fencing, dancing, music, and every other accomplishment. He went to Paris, where his talent for debate and his athletic skill provoked warm admiration. Thence he travelled to Rome, and visited Venice and other towns, lecturing on Aristotle, and performing various feats. Aldus Manutius appears to have really admired him, but Scaliger regarded him with suspicion. At last he reached Mantua, and the duke appointed him tutor to his son, Vincenzo, a wicked young man, who, during the Carnival of 1582, stabbed his preceptor in the streets. The works attributed to him hardly give an idea of his commanding abilities.