James Thomson (pastor)

James Diego Thomson (1788–1854) was a Scottish Baptist Pastor, and educator.[1] He served as schoolmaster in South America where Thomson applied the Lancasterian system.[2]

James Thomson
Director General de Escuelas of Buenos Aires
In office
1819–1821
Personal details
BornSeptember 1, 1788
Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
DiedFebruary 25, 1854
London, England
OccupationMinister
ProfessionTeaching

Biography edit

Thomson was born 1788 in Creetown, Scotland, the son of William Thomson and Janet Burnett, belonging to a family that professed the Presbyterian religion.[3] After completing his secondary studies, he enrolled in medicine and theology at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities and later took a doctorate at McGill University in Canada. He learned the Spanish language, and served as a pastor in a village in Scotland.[4]

In 1818, James Thomson arrived at the port of Buenos Aires. He had been commissioned by the British and Foreign Bible Society, to carry out the education system created by Joseph Lancaster.[5] During his stay in Argentina, he was in charge of instructing the teachers of Buenos Aires.[6] After the successful implementation of the Lancastrian system in the Río de la Plata, Thomson was appointed director of schools in Buenos Aires, a position he had held until 1821.[7]

In 1821, Thomson was hired by the government of Chile.[8] And in 1822, was invited by the General José de San Martín to visit the city of Lima, in order to introduce a modern education system.[9]

James Diego Thomson was appointed an honorary citizen of the United Provinces of the River Plate, for his great contribution to national public education.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ An Evangelical Saga. By Justice C. Anderson, Justice Anderson. 2005. ISBN 9781597814959.
  2. ^ Historia general de Chile: Parte octava (continuacíon). Diego Barros Arana. 2000. ISBN 9789561117846.
  3. ^ Diego Thomson, apóstol de la enseñanza y distribución de la Biblia en América Latina y España. Asociación Sociedad Bíblica Argentina. 1987. ISBN 9789509904422.
  4. ^ To All Nations From All Nations: A History of the Christian Missionary Movement. By Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi, Justo L. González. 2013. ISBN 9781426754890.
  5. ^ Teología en América Latina, Volume 3. José Ignacio Saranyana. 1999. ISBN 9788484890546.
  6. ^ Nosotros. Leopoldo Lugones. 1939.
  7. ^ Historia cronológica de la ciudad de Buenos Aires 1536-2014. By Contreras, Leonel. March 2014. ISBN 9789870273066.
  8. ^ Universidad y nación: Chile en el siglo XIX. By Sol Serrano. 1994. ISBN 9789561109506.
  9. ^ Historia de los Bautistas, Volume 3. by Justo C. Anderson. August 2003. ISBN 9780311150380.
  10. ^ Historia del Cristianismo en América Latina. Pablo Alberto Deiros. 1992.

External links edit