Background
He was born in 1492, the son of one James Winram of Ratho and his wife Margaret Wilkie.
He was born in 1492, the son of one James Winram of Ratho and his wife Margaret Wilkie.
University of Street Andrews.
He obtained a Bachelor"s Degree (1515), a Master"s Degree (x 1532) and a Doctorate (1541) from Street Leonard"s College, University of Street Andrews. He had become an Augustinian monastic canon at Street Andrews Cathedral Priory by 1527, becoming sub-prior by the end of 1535. By then, he was de facto leader of the house, since the commendator-prior was James Stewart, born only in 1531 and still a minor.
In 1553 he was appointed to be Prior of Street Serf"s Inch, Lochleven.
In his roles at Street Andrews and Street Serf"s Inch, he was able to exert an influence on the national church. Winram played a leading role in the early organisation of the newly independent Scottish Church, maintaining a high work-load as an administrator into his 80s.
Winram had married Margaret Stewart, the illegitimate daughter of Alexander Stewart, Bishop of Moray, in 1562. By this marriage he obtained two stepsons, Robert and Andrew.
The former suffered from severe disability, though the latter was healthy and he and Winram had a mutually beneficial relationship until the death of Margaret led to a dispute about her will.
The dispute raged through the courts of south-eastern Scotland, and their relationship never recovered. Winram died on September 28, 1582.