Thomas Guthrie
Encyclopedia
Thomas Guthrie D.D. was a Scottish
divine and philanthropist
, born at Brechin
in Angus
(at that time also called Forfarshire). He was one of the most popular preachers of his day in Scotland
, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy - especially temperance and Ragged Schools, of which he was a founder.
He studied at Edinburgh University for both surgery and anatomy (under Dr Robert Knox) but then concentrated on Theology. He was licenced to preach from 1852, and became the Minister of Arbirlot
, in Angus
, and then of Free St. John's chapel Edinburgh
. Possessed of a commanding presence and voice, and a remarkably effective and picturesque style of oratory
, he became perhaps the most popular preacher
of his day in Scotland, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy
, especially temperance
and ragged school
s, of which he was a founder. His hard work as a proponent and founder of Ragged Schools led him to be quoted by Samuel Smiles
in his famous book Self Help
.
He was one of the leaders of the Free Church of Scotland
, and raised over £100,000 for manse
s for its ministers. He was made Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland in 1872. Other roles included manager of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, work for the Blind Asylum and work at the Night Refuge.
Among his writings are The Gospel in Ezekiel and Plea for Ragged Schools (1847), and The City, its Sins and Sorrows.
Thomas Guthrie died in 1873 and was buried in The Grange
cemetery. His will left his copy of the National Covenant
to the Free Church.
to Guthrie stands on Princes Street
in Edinburgh, facing Castle Street, by the sculptor F.W.Pomeroy. This was erected in 1910. It bears the following inscriptions:
and the great-grandfather of Tyrone Guthrie
(1900–1971), a theatre director in Britain, Canada and Ireland.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
divine and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, born at Brechin
Brechin
Brechin is a former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin is often described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese , but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era...
in Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
(at that time also called Forfarshire). He was one of the most popular preachers of his day in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy - especially temperance and Ragged Schools, of which he was a founder.
He studied at Edinburgh University for both surgery and anatomy (under Dr Robert Knox) but then concentrated on Theology. He was licenced to preach from 1852, and became the Minister of Arbirlot
Arbirlot
Arbirlot is a village in a rural parish of the same name in Angus, Scotland. The current name is a contraction of Aberelliot - mouth of the Elliot. It is situated west of Arbroath. The main village settlement is on the Elliot Water, 2.5 miles from Arbroath. There is a Church of Scotland church and...
, in Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
, and then of Free St. John's chapel Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. Possessed of a commanding presence and voice, and a remarkably effective and picturesque style of oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
, he became perhaps the most popular preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
of his day in Scotland, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
, especially temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
and ragged school
Ragged school
Ragged Schools were charitable schools dedicated to the free education of destitute children in 19th century England. The schools were developed in working class districts of the rapidly expanding industrial towns...
s, of which he was a founder. His hard work as a proponent and founder of Ragged Schools led him to be quoted by Samuel Smiles
Samuel Smiles
-Early life:Born in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, the son of Samuel Smiles of Haddington and Janet Wilson of Dalkeith, Smiles was one of eleven surviving children. The family were strict Cameronians, though when Smiles grew up he was not one of them...
in his famous book Self Help
Self-Help (book)
Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character and Conduct was a book published in 1859 by Samuel Smiles. The second edition of 1866 added Perseverance to the subtitle. It has been called "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism"....
.
He was one of the leaders of the Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
, and raised over £100,000 for manse
Manse
A manse is a house inhabited by, or formerly inhabited by, a minister, usually used in the context of a Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist or United Church...
s for its ministers. He was made Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland in 1872. Other roles included manager of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, work for the Blind Asylum and work at the Night Refuge.
Among his writings are The Gospel in Ezekiel and Plea for Ragged Schools (1847), and The City, its Sins and Sorrows.
- Born at Brechin, Forfarshire. Minister successively of Arbirlot and of Greyfriars and St John's parish churches and of free St John's Church in this city.
Thomas Guthrie died in 1873 and was buried in The Grange
The Grange, Edinburgh
The Grange is a suburb of Edinburgh, about one and a half miles south of the city centre, with Morningside and Greenhill to the west and Newington to the east. It is a conservation area characterised by large late Victorian stone-built villas, often with very large gardens...
cemetery. His will left his copy of the National Covenant
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
to the Free Church.
Memorials
A fine statue in Portland stonePortland stone
Portland stone is a limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The quarries consist of beds of white-grey limestone separated by chert beds. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major...
to Guthrie stands on Princes Street
Princes Street
Princes Street is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, and its main shopping street. It is the southernmost street of Edinburgh's New Town, stretching around 1 mile from Lothian Road in the west to Leith Street in the east. The street is mostly closed to private...
in Edinburgh, facing Castle Street, by the sculptor F.W.Pomeroy. This was erected in 1910. It bears the following inscriptions:
- An eloquent preacher of the gospel. Founder of the Edinburgh Original Ragged Industrial Schools, and by tongue and pen, the apostle of the movement elsewhere. One of the earliest temperance reformers. A friend of the poor and of the oppressed.
Descendants
Thomas Guthrie was father of Lord GuthrieCharles John Guthrie, Baron Guthrie
Charles John Guthrie, Baron Guthrie was a Scottish lawyer.Guthrie was the son of the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, editor of the Sunday Magazine. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Edinburgh University, and in 1875 was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates...
and the great-grandfather of Tyrone Guthrie
Tyrone Guthrie
Sir William Tyrone Guthrie was an English theatrical director instrumental in the founding of the Stratford Festival of Canada, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, at his family's home, Annaghmakerrig, in County Monaghan, Ireland.-Life and career:Guthrie...
(1900–1971), a theatre director in Britain, Canada and Ireland.
External links
- Thomas Guthrie - the foremost Scottish Divine This site includes a biography of Guthrie, several literature works by Guthrie and some sermons by Guthrie. It is one of several sites in the related Scottish Preachers' Hall of Fame.