Donald Robertson (educator)

Donald Robertson, the second son of Charles Robertson and Isabella Robertson (née MacDonald), was born on September 27, 1717, in Scotland. Oral family tradition suggests his birthplace was Marr, Aberdeenshire. Encouraged by his parents to join the clergy, Donald pursued his education at Aberdeen College and later, as per family accounts, at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned his degree.
Residing in Edinburgh during the Jacobite uprising, Donald married Henrietta Maxwell, daughter of Sir Patrick Maxwell of Springkel. Likely influenced by his wife's family's loyalty to the British crown, Donald abstained from participating in the conflict, which opposed his father's allegiance to the House of Stuart. His father, Charles Robertson, fought for the Stuarts at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, resulting in the confiscation of his lands by the Hanoverian government.
After their dispossession, Charles and Isabella moved in with Donald in Edinburgh. Isabella passed away on March 5, 1753, and Charles later resided with his eldest son in Sunderland, England, until his death in 1761.
In pursuit of better prospects amidst the fallout of the Jacobite defeat, Donald decided to emigrate to the British North American colonies, choosing Virginia as his destination. He left his wife in the care of his cousin Malcolm Ogilvie and sailed from Leith in December 1752. Donald noted his arrival in Virginia on March 29, 1753, in his Latin Bible. Tragically, Henrietta passed away on March 25, 1753, just days before his arrival.
Donald quickly established himself in King and Queen County, Virginia, due to his exceptional education. However, he learned of Henrietta's death too late and waived his rights to her estate, requesting only her personal belongings be given to her sister.
Donald then began his career in education, initially as a tutor for Colonel John Baylor's children. His academic background led to a high demand for his services, and he soon taught the sons of many prominent local families. His school, located in Drysdale Parish, comprised parts of King and Queen and Caroline Counties. Notably, among his students was James Madison, Jr., future U.S. President and "Father of the Constitution."
Madison, who studied under Robertson from ages eleven to sixteen, along with other students, learned a diverse curriculum including English, history, classical literature, and languages. Robertson's influence on Madison and other notable students like John Penn, John Tyler, George Rogers Clark, and John Taylor of Caroline was profound.
Following Henrietta's death, Donald married Rachel Rogers on September 27, 1764. The couple had three children and lived a fulfilled life at their riverside home. Donald passed away on January 30, 1783, reportedly content with the United States' newly established independence.
As of February 2021, the final resting places of Donald and Rachel Robertson remain undiscovered.
==Sources==
1. Anderson, William K. *Donald Robertson and His Wife Rachel Rogers of King and Queen County, Virginia: Their Ancestry and Posterity; Also a Brief Account of the Ancestry of Commodore Richard Taylor of Orange County, Virginia, and His Naval History During the War of the American Revolution*. Detroit: Winn and Hammond, 1900. Print.
2. Wolverton, II, Joe. *The Real James Madison: The True Story of America's Greatest Political Mind*. Mesa, Ariz.: Heritage Academy IP, LLC, 2018. Print.
3. [King and Queen Courthouse Tavern Museum](http://www.kingandqueenmuseum.org/donald-robertsons-school/).
Category:American people
Category:1717 births
Category:People from Scotland