Dr William Guild, born about 1586 was the sole surviving son of Matthew Guild, a wealthy Aberdeen armourer and member of the Hammerman Trade. He studied at the newly founded Marischal College and was ordained to Kinedward parish in 1608. He was appointed one of the ministers of St Nicholas in 1631 and two years later purchased the chapel and monastery of the Trinitarian friars to be a meeting place for the seven Incorporated Trades and a hospital or home for decayed tradesmen. In recognition of his generosity Dr Guild was appointed their first Patron – an office which continues to be held by a minister of the Gospel. The name, Trinity Hall, used also for subsequent buildings in Union Street and in Holburn Street, commemorates its origins. He himself is commemorated by the modern-day Guild Street. In the seventeenth century various public bodies, including the Trades, had seats or ‘lofts’ in the Kirk on which were displayed their insignia. A 20th century panel adorns the loft front of the Incorporated Trades and there the principal office bearers sit when they come to be ‘kirked’, according to long-standing custom, on the 2nd Sunday of November. His large and impressive memorial, shown in the photograph, was erected by his widow and is located in the Kirkyard on the wall just to the north of the gateway from Back Wynd. The original Latin inscription panel was replaced in 1883, in red granite, by the Incorporated Trades.