Thomas Guthrie

Thomas Guthrie D.D. (1803 – 1873) was a Scottish divine and philanthropist, born at Brechin in Angus. 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 for the Church, and became the Minister 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 schools, 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. [http://www.newble.co.uk/guthrie/selfhelp.html Thomas Guthrie quoted in 'Self Help', by Samuel Smiles] ]

He was one of the leaders of the Free Church of Scotland, and raised over £100,000 for manses for its ministers. Among his writings are "The Gospel in Ezekiel" and "Plea for Ragged Schools" (1847) [ [http://www.newble.co.uk/guthrie/plea1.html Thomas Guthrie's (first) Plea for Ragged Schools] ] , and "The City, its Sins and Sorrows".

His statue on Edinburgh's Princes Street 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."

:"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 cemetery. His will [ [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=546&1117 Scan and transcription of Thomas Guthrie's will] ] left his copy of the National Covenant to the Free Church.

Thomas Guthrie was the grandfather of Tyrone Guthrie (1900-1971), a theatre director in Britain, Canada and Ireland.

References

External links

* [http://www.newble.co.uk/guthrie/ 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 [http://www.newble.co.uk/hall/ Scottish Preachers' Hall of Fame] .