Old Photograph Dr Guthrie's Industrial School Gilmerton Edinburgh Scotland

Old photograph of Dr Guthrie's Industrial School in Gilmerton, Edinburgh, Scotland. Thomas Guthrie, born 12 July 1803, died 24 February 1873, was a Scottish divine and philanthropist, born at Brechin in Angus. He was one of the most popular preachers of his day in Scotland, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy, especially temperance and Ragged Schools, of which he was a founder. He was made Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland in 1862. Other roles included manager of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, work for the Blind Asylum and work at the Night Refuge. Dr Guthrie's most enduring legacy was the Ragged Schools which had a unique curriculum; education, regular meals, clothes, industrial training and Christian instruction. Most of the ragged children who attended the schools did not remain overnight but were in school for 12 hours in the summer and 11 hours in the winter. The unique curriculum of Ragged Schools was done in an environment of discipline and structure although there is never a sense that the schools were harsh or austere. Guthrie was no great fan of corporal punishment and instead encouraged staff to win over children with kindness. Thomas died in at his house in St. Leonards, Edinburgh in 1873 and was buried in The Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh. His wife, Anne Burns, born 1810, died 1899, daughter of Reverend James Burns of Brechin, is buried with him.



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