Born about 1580 into a Perthshire family, he was son of Gilbert Primrose, principal surgeon to James VI of Scotland, and Alison Graham, his wife. He was educated at St. Andrews University, where he took the degree of M.A. He then went to France, and was received as a minister of the Reformed Church there. His first charge was at Mirambeau, from which he was transferred in 1603 to the church of Bordeaux. His influence helped John Cameron become regent in the new college of Bergerac.
