David Ferguson (reformer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Ferguson
plaque on David Ferguson's grave
Personal details
Birth name	David Ferguson or Fergusson
Born	1533 (or before) Dundee (probably)
Died	23 April 1598 Dunfermline
Denomination	Church of Scotland
Alma mater	none

David Ferguson (born around 1533 – died 23 April 1598) was an important Scottish reformer and a minister in the Church of Scotland. He helped shape the church during a time of big changes. He was chosen twice to lead the main meeting of the Church of Scotland, called the General Assembly, in 1573 and 1578.

David Ferguson was likely born in Dundee. We don't know his exact birth date. He started out as a glover, making gloves. Even though he didn't go to university, he was very smart. He learned Latin and Ancient Greek and studied religious topics deeply. In 1560, he became a minister in Dunfermline. He also looked after churches in nearby areas like Rosyth and Carnock.

He attended many General Assemblies, which are like big meetings for the church. He was part of 39 of these meetings. He helped organize them and was often chosen for important church committees. He even met with King James VI several times. He was known for his cleverness and good humor. He could calm down arguments and help people agree. He once joked with King James about his name, saying "Fergus" was the first King of Scotland and he was "Fergus-son." He died in 1598, known as the oldest minister in Scotland. People remembered him as a good speaker, wise, and cheerful.

Life as a Reformer

David Ferguson's exact birth year is not known for sure. Many people believe he was born in Dundee. He worked as a glover before becoming a preacher. He stopped his business to study and prepare for his role in the church. Some people, like James Laing, tried to make fun of him for his background. But Ferguson was well-educated in languages like Latin and Greek. He was one of the first people to preach the new reformed ideas in Scotland.

When the Church of Scotland first started appointing ministers, Ferguson was sent to Dunfermline. Later, he also took care of churches in Rosyth, Carnock, and Beath. He was chosen to lead the General Assembly twice. This was a very important role in the church. He was also part of many key church groups. For years, he helped the leader of the Assembly prepare for meetings.

In 1581, he was one of the ministers who visited Regent Earl of Morton before his execution. Regent Morton was a powerful leader in Scotland at the time. In 1582, Ferguson was asked to help set up new churches and place ministers in the West of Fife.

He also met with King James VI in 1583. Ferguson and other ministers advised the King. They told him to be careful about new changes in his court. They also asked him to check facts before believing rumors. Ferguson was known for his wit. He once told the King that he was "Fergus-son," meaning son of Fergus, the first King of Scotland. He then added that since King James was "an honest man," he would let him keep his crown. Ferguson's calm and clever way of speaking helped smooth things over when discussions got heated. The King even shook hands with all the ministers as they left.

In 1598, at a church meeting in Cupar, Ferguson spoke against a plan to let ministers vote in parliament. He was the oldest minister in Scotland at the time. He said it was like "dressing up a brave horse" to destroy Troy. He meant it would harm the church. He died on 13 August 1598. After his death, John Fairfoul became the new minister of Dunfermline.

His Writings and Sayings

David Ferguson wrote several important works. In 1563, he published a response to a French doctor named René Benoît. This showed his strong support for the reformed church.

In 1572, he gave a famous sermon (a religious speech) in Leith. He spoke about how church money should be used. He believed it should go to churches, schools, and helping the poor. He didn't think it should be used by rich nobles or the government. This sermon was written in everyday Scottish language. Even John Knox, another famous reformer, praised it.

Ferguson is also thought to have created the term "Tulchan bishops." This was a nickname for bishops who were appointed just so powerful nobles could take money from the church. A "tulchan" was a calf's skin stuffed with straw, used to trick a cow into giving milk. This showed how these bishops were just a way for others to get rich.

He was very good at using the Scottish language. Many of his sayings became popular and were used by people for a long time. He collected these sayings into a book called Scottish Proverbs. It was first published in 1641, after he died. This book became very popular and had many editions. It contained hundreds of Scottish proverbs.

He also wrote a book about the Song of Solomon from the Bible. He kept a diary of important church events during his time. This diary is now lost, but his son-in-law, John Row, probably used it when writing his own history of the church.

Family Life

David Ferguson married Isobel Durham. They had many children together:

• Margaret, born in 1562, who married David Spens, a minister.
• William, born in 1564, who became a doctor in Dundee.
• Patrick, born in 1566.
• Robert, born in 1568.
• Janet, born in 1570, who married David Ramsay.
• David, born in 1573.
• John, born in 1574.
• Grisel, born in 1576, who married John Row, another minister.
• Isobel, born in 1580.

Images for kids

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  David Ferguson's grave at Dunfermline Abbey