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

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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

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  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.
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