Born in Haddington in 1385, Bower became Abbot of Inchcolm Abbey in the Firth of Forth. As a leading cleric to James I, he played an important role in matters of state as well as religion. However, he is primarily remembered for his work as a chronicler and historian. He completed the Scotichronicon, begun by John of Fordun, the most important medieval account of early Scottish history. Bower died on Christmas Eve, 1449.
