John Finlayson (disciple) facts for kids
John Finlayson (born 1770, died 1854) was a lawyer and writer from Scotland. He was also a follower of a man named Richard Brothers, who had some unique beliefs about the future.
Early Life and Career
John Finlayson was born in Scotland in 1770. His father was a farmer in a place called Benyhole farm, near Abdie in Fife. John became a "writer," which is the Scottish word for a lawyer. He learned his legal skills from Mr. James Stark, who was a legal officer for Fife. In 1793, Finlayson became a legal officer himself in the town of Cupar. He continued to work there for several years.
Following Richard Brothers
Finlayson became very interested in the ideas of Richard Brothers. Brothers believed that a new special time, like a "second Israel," would begin. He also thought a new important leader would appear. Brothers' writings even predicted a specific date for this event: September 19, 1797. On that exact day, Finlayson closed his law office. He handed over all his legal work to another lawyer in Cupar.
Finlayson then moved to Edinburgh and later to London. In London, he worked as a "house agent," helping people buy and sell homes. Richard Brothers suggested that Finlayson change the spelling of his name. Brothers told him that his family had once been given special land for brave actions. Richard Brothers lived in Finlayson's house in Marylebone before he died in 1824. Brothers asked Finlayson to write against another thinker named Bartholomew Prescot. Finlayson did this, describing Prescot's ideas as "mistaken."
Finlayson also wrote a book about the famous scientist Isaac Newton. In his book, Finlayson claimed that many of Newton's theories were incorrect. This book caused some people to doubt Finlayson's own ideas.
Family Life
In 1808, John Finlayson married Elizabeth Anne. She was the daughter of Colonel Basil Bruce. John and Elizabeth had ten children together. Their oldest son was named Richard Brothers Finlayson. He later changed his name to Richard Beauford. Richard Beauford became a photographer in Galway, Ireland, and passed away in 1886.
Later Years and Death
In his old age, Finlayson faced financial difficulties. He was a widower and received a small weekly allowance from the local parish. He also received some money from a man named Busby, in whose house Brothers had lived for a time. Some of Brothers' other followers did not help Finlayson. He died on September 19, 1854. John Finlayson was buried in the same grave as Richard Brothers in St John's Wood, London.
