12 famous faces educated at Edinburgh University, including Charles Darwin, Ian Rankin and Michael McIntyre

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 29th Mar 2023, 13:17 BST

Edinburgh University boasts an impressive list of famous alumni, some of whom have acquired legendary status.

If you’ve ever wondered where theory of evolution scientist Charles Darwin or comedian and TV show host Michael McIntyre studied, we’ve got the answers for you.

How many of the famous faces in our photo gallery did you know went to the University of Edinburgh – and did any attend at the same time as you or your children?

Clockwise from left, Michael McIntyre, Kate Forbes and Charles Darwin.

. The University of Edinburgh's famous alumni

Clockwise from left, Michael McIntyre, Kate Forbes and Charles Darwin. Photo: Third Party

Surprisingly, Charles Darwin did not study biology or “natural history”. Instead, he enrolled at Edinburgh University to study medicine in 1825, when he was just 16 years old. Darwin’s father and grandfather had both studied medicine. Back then, Edinburgh had the reputation of providing the best medical education in Britain, but Darwin did not enjoy his studies. He left after two years without graduating.

. Charles Dawrin

Surprisingly, Charles Darwin did not study biology or “natural history”. Instead, he enrolled at Edinburgh University to study medicine in 1825, when he was just 16 years old. Darwin’s father and grandfather had both studied medicine. Back then, Edinburgh had the reputation of providing the best medical education in Britain, but Darwin did not enjoy his studies. He left after two years without graduating. Photo: Third Party

Now one of Britain's biggest comedians and TV gameshow hosts, Michael McIntyre attended Edinburgh University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in script writing. He has said that he cannot remember whether it was biology or chemistry that he studied while there.

. Michael McIntyre

Now one of Britain's biggest comedians and TV gameshow hosts, Michael McIntyre attended Edinburgh University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in script writing. He has said that he cannot remember whether it was biology or chemistry that he studied while there. Photo: Third Party

Scotland's greatest living crime writer was born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. After uni, and before his success with his Inspector Rebus novels, Ian had a number of jobs including working as a grape-picker, a swineherd, a journalist for a hi-fi magazine, and a taxman.

. Ian Rankin

Scotland's greatest living crime writer was born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. After uni, and before his success with his Inspector Rebus novels, Ian had a number of jobs including working as a grape-picker, a swineherd, a journalist for a hi-fi magazine, and a taxman. Photo: Third Party

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born at 16 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. At the age of 16, he became a pupil-teacher of elocution and music at Weston House Academy in Elgin. The following year he attended the University of Edinburgh, and later graduated from the University College of London.

. Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born at 16 South Charlotte Street in Edinburgh. At the age of 16, he became a pupil-teacher of elocution and music at Weston House Academy in Elgin. The following year he attended the University of Edinburgh, and later graduated from the University College of London. Photo: Third Party

Clockwise from left, Michael McIntyre, Kate Forbes and Charles Darwin.

1. The University of Edinburgh's famous alumni

Clockwise from left, Michael McIntyre, Kate Forbes and Charles Darwin. Photo: Third Party

Surprisingly, Charles Darwin did not study biology or “natural history”. Instead, he enrolled at Edinburgh University to study medicine in 1825, when he was just 16 years old. Darwin’s father and grandfather had both studied medicine. Back then, Edinburgh had the reputation of providing the best medical education in Britain, but Darwin did not enjoy his studies. He left after two years without graduating.

2. Charles Dawrin

Surprisingly, Charles Darwin did not study biology or “natural history”. Instead, he enrolled at Edinburgh University to study medicine in 1825, when he was just 16 years old. Darwin’s father and grandfather had both studied medicine. Back then, Edinburgh had the reputation of providing the best medical education in Britain, but Darwin did not enjoy his studies. He left after two years without graduating. Photo: Third Party

Now one of Britain's biggest comedians and TV gameshow hosts, Michael McIntyre attended Edinburgh University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in script writing. He has said that he cannot remember whether it was biology or chemistry that he studied while there.

3. Michael McIntyre

Now one of Britain's biggest comedians and TV gameshow hosts, Michael McIntyre attended Edinburgh University for one year before dropping out to pursue a career in script writing. He has said that he cannot remember whether it was biology or chemistry that he studied while there. Photo: Third Party

Scotland's greatest living crime writer was born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. After uni, and before his success with his Inspector Rebus novels, Ian had a number of jobs including working as a grape-picker, a swineherd, a journalist for a hi-fi magazine, and a taxman.

4. Ian Rankin

Scotland's greatest living crime writer was born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. After uni, and before his success with his Inspector Rebus novels, Ian had a number of jobs including working as a grape-picker, a swineherd, a journalist for a hi-fi magazine, and a taxman. Photo: Third Party

Edinburgh University Ian Rankin

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