 William entered King's College in Aberdeen in the autumn of 1763, and graduated with a Master of Arts degree on March 30, 1767.After his return to Elgin, William continued his study and research in the natural sciences.The deaths in 1762 of his two eldest half-brothers, Archibald and Robert, brought William from fourth to second in line to inherit the family estates, but William's father Archibald died in 1769, leaving him only about 500 pounds.