Nicole Cumming
FES, VII, pp.381, 484; FES, I, pp.46, 66; ODNB (article #4777)
William Carstares (or Carstairs) was the eldest son of John Carstairs minister of Cathcart. He studied at Edinburgh and then Utrecht where he formed a friendship with William, Prince of Orange, and became his advisor on matters relating to Britain. Around 1681 he is known to have been minister at Theobalds-in-Cheshunt (Hertfordshire). He returned to Holland c.1584 and was made chaplain to the Prince of Orange and minister of the English church at Leyden. He accompanied William to England in 1688 and after the Revolution has substantial influence. He became Principal of the Uni of Edinburgh in 1703 and minister of Greyfriars in 1704, transferring to St Giles 28 December 1706. He supported the Treaty of Union and the succession of the House of Hanover, becoming chaplain to Queen Anne and King George I. He died in 1715 and was buried in Greyfriars churchyard on 2 January 1716.