Thomas Scott (commentator) facts for kids
Thomas Scott (1747–1821) was an important English preacher and writer. He is best known for his huge book A Commentary On The Whole Bible. He also wrote The Force of Truth. Thomas Scott was also one of the people who helped start the Church Missionary Society.
Contents
Thomas Scott's Life Story
Early Years
Thomas Scott was born in 1747 in a place called Bratoft in Lincolnshire, England. He was the 11th of 13 children! His father was a grazier, which means he raised cattle. Thomas's mother was well-educated and taught him how to read.
He went to small schools nearby. When he was ten, he went to a school far away in Scorton. It was about 150 miles from his home. In 1762, at age 15, he started training to be a surgeon in Alford. But he was soon asked to leave. He then worked on his family's farm for ten years.
Becoming a Preacher
In 1772, when he was 25, Thomas Scott left home. He became an Anglican priest. At first, he said he became a priest for a comfortable job. He did not believe in many of the things he had to preach.
Scott first worked as a curate in Buckinghamshire in 1772. A curate is a priest who helps the main priest. He worked in the areas of Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood. In 1774, he married Jane Kell. From 1775 to 1777, he worked as a curate in Ravenstone.
During this time, Scott became friends with John Newton. Newton was a hymn writer and a priest in a nearby town. Their friendship made Scott think deeply about his beliefs. He studied the Bible a lot. This led him to become an evangelical Christian. He wrote about this change in his book The Force of Truth in 1779.
Important Work
Thomas Scott moved to London. He worked at a hospital chapel. Every Sunday, he would walk 14 miles. He preached and led services at different churches. These included St. Mildred, Bread Street and St. Margaret, Lothbury.
While in London, he started publishing his famous book. It was called Commentary On the Whole Bible. This book helped him become very well known.
His first wife, Jane, passed away in 1790. Later that year, on November 4, he married Mary Egerton. She was a writer who did not belong to the Church of England. While in London, Scott helped start the Church Missionary Society. He was also its first secretary from 1799 to 1802.
In 1803, Scott left London. He became the Rector of Aston Sandford in Buckinghamshire. He stayed there until he passed away in 1821. He continued to help the Church Missionary Society. He even taught young missionaries who were training.
Thomas Scott's Family
Thomas Scott had two daughters and three sons with his first wife, Jane Kell. All three of his sons became Anglican priests. After Jane passed away, he married Mary Egerton.
His oldest son, John Scott (1777–1834), wrote about his father's life. He also published his father's writings. John became a priest at St Mary's in Kingston upon Hull. His son and grandson, both named John Scott, also became priests there. There is even a pub in Hull named The Three John Scotts after them.
His middle son, Thomas Scott (1780–1835), became a priest in Wappenham. His son, also named Thomas Scott, followed him in that role. This middle son was also the father of a famous architect, George Gilbert Scott.
His third son, Benjamin Scott (1788–1830), was also a priest. He had four children with his first wife, Anne. He later became a priest in Bidford and Priors Salford. Benjamin passed away in 1830. His second wife, Frances, gave birth to their son, Benjamin John Scott, later that year.
Thomas Scott's daughters were Anne, born in 1775, and Elizabeth, born in 1785.
