Education
He was educated at Edinburgh University, taught Hebrew in London from 1653–1680, then in 1680 was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University.
hebraist lexicographer linguist
He was educated at Edinburgh University, taught Hebrew in London from 1653–1680, then in 1680 was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University.
A graduate of Edinburgh, he is identified by Edgar Cardew Marchant in the Dictionary of National Biography as probably the William Robertson who was laureated by Duncan Forester in April 1645. From 1653 to 1680 he lived in the City of London and taught Hebrew. Robertson believed Hebrew could be learned by ordinary people with a minimum of linguistic background.
In the Interregnum he was supported by patrons such as John Sadler, William Steele and Lady Katherine Ranelagh, and was able to publish freely.
In theology he followed David Dickson and Robert Douglas. After 1660 he had little support, and lost much of his version of the Hebrew New Testament of Elias Hutter in the Great Fire of London.
