Richard Cameron (Covenanter)

Richard Cameron
Cameron depicted in a Covenanter history published in 1901
Born1648
Falkland, Fife
Died22 July 1680
Airds Moss, Clydeside
NationalityScottish
EducationSt Salvator's College, St Andrews
Occupationreligious leader
Known forCovenanters

Richard Cameron (1648? – 22 July 1680) was a leader of the militant Presbyterians, known as Covenanters, who resisted attempts by the Stuart monarchs to control the affairs of the Church of Scotland, acting through bishops. While attempting to revive the flagging fortunes of the Covenanting cause in 1680, he was tracked down by the authorities and killed in a clash of arms at Airds Moss in Ayrshire. His followers took his name as the Cameronians and ultimately formed the nucleus of the later Scottish regiment of the same name, the Cameronians. The regiment was disbanded in 1968.