James Thomson (9 May 1768–28 November 1855) was a Scottish minister and editor of the ''

Encyclopædia Britannica The (Latin for "British Encyclopædia") is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia. It is published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; the company has existed since the 18th century, although it has changed ownership various time ...

''.

Life

Born on 9 May 1768 at

Crieff Crieff (; gd, Craoibh, meaning "tree") is a Scottish market town in Perth and Kinross on the A85 road between Perth and Crianlarich, and the A822 between Greenloaning and Aberfeldy. The A822 joins the A823 to Dunfermline. Crieff has become ...

Perthshire Perthshire (locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, ...

, was the second son of Elizabeth Ewan and her husband, John Thomson.

Thomas Thomson Thomas Thomson may refer to: * Tom Thomson (1877–1917), Canadian painter * Thomas Thomson (apothecary) (died 1572), Scottish apothecary * Thomas Thomson (advocate) (1768–1852), Scottish lawyer * Thomas Thomson (botanist) (1817–1878), Scottis ...

was his younger brother. He was educated at the parish school, and afterwards studied at the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Haddington on 6 August 1793, and frequently assisted his uncle, John Ewan, minister of Whittingham, East Lothian. On 26 August 1805 Thomson was ordained minister of

Eccles, Berwickshire Eccles ( gd, An Eaglais. Brythonic/Welsh: ''Eglwys'') is a village and agricultural parish near Kelso in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. The village is conjoined with Birgham and Leitholm. Etymology Like other 'Eccles ...

. In 1842 he received the honorary degree of DD from the

University of St Andrews (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...

, and in 1847 he resigned his charge and retired to Edinburgh. In 1854 he moved to London, where he died on 28 November 1855.

Works

In 1795 Thomson became associated with

George Gleig George Gleig FRSE FSA LLD (12 May 1753 – 9 March 1840) was a Scottish minister who transferred to the Episcopalian faith and became Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Life He was born at Boghall Farm, near Arbuthnott in Aberdeenshire, ...

, bishop of Brechin, as co-editor of the third edition of the ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. He wrote articles himself, including those on "Scripture", "Septuagint", and "Superstition"; that on "Scripture" was retained in later editions. During the same period he prepared an edition of ''

The Spectator ''The Spectator'' is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving weekly magazine in the world. It is owned by Frederick Barclay, who also owns ''The ...

'' with short biographies of the contributors (Newcastle, 1799, 8 volumes). In 1796 he became tutor to the sons of John Stirling of Kippendavie, and resigned his post on the ''Britannica'' to his brother Thomas. Both brothers were contributors to the ''

Literary Journal A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense. Literary magazines usually publish short stories, poetry, and essays, along with literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews and letters ...

'' founded in 1803 by

James Mill James Mill (born James Milne; 6 April 1773 – 23 June 1836) was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. He is counted among the founders of the Ricardian school of economics. He also wrote ''The History of British ...

, James writing the philosophic articles. In his country life he devoted himself to the study of the Bible in the original tongues. Thomson was also the author of: * ''Rise, Progress, and Consequences of the new Opinions and Principles lately introduced into France'', Edinburgh, 1799. * ''Expository Lectures on St. Luke'', London, 1849-51. * ''Expository Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles'', London, 1854. * ''Sketch of the present State of Agriculture in Berwickshire'' in his brother's ''

Annals of Philosophy ''Annals of Philosophy; or, Magazine of Chemistry, Mineralology, Mechanics, Natural History, Agriculture and the Arts'' was a learned journal founded in 1813 by the Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson. It shortly became a leader in its field of comme ...

''.

Family

On 10 October 1805 Thomson married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of James Skene of

Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...

, second son of George Skene of

Skene, Aberdeenshire Skene (Scottish Gaelic language, Gaelic: ''Sgainn'') is a small farming community in North East Scotland some 10 km west of Aberdeen. The two traditional villages are :wikt:kirk-town, Kirkton of Skene and Lyne of Skene. As the name suggests, ...

. She died in 1851, leaving a daughter Eliza and three sons,

Robert Dundas Thomson Dr Robert Dundas Thomson FRSE FRS FRCP FCS (21 September 1810 – 17 August 1864) was a British physician and chemist and a pioneer of public sanitation. He worked as an academic, medical officer of health and author. Life He was the son ...

, James Thomson, chairman of the government bank of

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

and Andrew Skene Thomson.

References

* ;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomson, James 1768 births 1855 deaths 19th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland Scottish writers Alumni of the University of Edinburgh 18th-century Ministers of the Church of Scotland