Born in the east of Scotland he studied at St Andrews University. He became a "regent" (lecturer) in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1572 and continued this role until 1582. During this period he was promoted to Professor of Physics and Astronomy.[1]
He was not formally consecrated until 1611, in a ceremony at Brechin Cathedral. He died at his house in Guestrow, Aberdeen, after a long illness on 14 June 1616, at Aberdeen.[2] He is buried in the Kirk of St Nicholas in central Aberdeen.[1]
Family
He married Isobel Johnston, daughter of George Johnston of Johnston and Caskichen, and Christian Forbes, daughter of Lord Forbes, and sister of the poet Arthur Johnston. Their children included:[1]
Peter Blackburn of Dyce, their heir
William Blackburn of Endowie
Janet Blackburn, married Rev Alexander Rait of Kintore
Archibald Blackburn, minister of St Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen from 1601 to 1625[5]
Gordon, Alexander, "Ferme [Fairholm], Charles (1565/6–1617)", rev. Alan R. MacDonald, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 , accessed 22 Feb 2007
Keith, Robert, An Historical Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops: Down to the Year 1688, (London, 1924)
MacDonald, Alan R., "Gledstanes , George (c.1562–1615)", in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 , accessed 22 Feb 2007