He graduated at the University of St Andrews, was regent at King's College, Aberdeen, and then spent several years abroad, chiefly in France, where he studied at Poitiers.
[1][6] His earliest dated epigram refers to the comet of 1577 as a warning to Catherine de' Medici.
[1] He wrote verses on various topical subjects, including the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, the political ascendency of James Stewart, Earl of Arran, and the marriages of James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark, and John Maitland of Thirlestane and Jean Fleming.
[8] He was probably the author of verses recited by school children on 19 May 1590 during the ceremonial Entry of Anne of Denmark in Edinburgh, known only from Danish translations.
[10] In an undated Apologia, written at the end of his tenth lustrum, he speaks of his wife and numerous family.