Скачать с ютуб October 8th, 1774 - Birth of Reformer Henry Duncan в хорошем качестве

October 8th, 1774 - Birth of Reformer Henry Duncan

Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald, and today, we're diving into the life and legacy of one of Scotland's most remarkable reformers: Reverend Henry Duncan. Born on this day, October 8th, 1774, in Lochrutton, Kirkcudbrightshire, Duncan was a man of profound compassion and vision. He’s best known for founding the world’s first mutual savings bank in 1810, a revolutionary step that offered financial security to the poor of his parish in Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, and eventually transformed banking practices worldwide. At a time when banks were only accessible to the wealthy, requiring a minimum deposit of ten pounds—an impossible sum for the average working person—Duncan’s savings bank welcomed deposits as low as sixpence. His goal was to encourage thrift among the poor and provide a means for them to save for the future. What's more, 1% of the interest from combined deposits went to a charitable fund, reinforcing Duncan's belief that banking should serve the community and not just the privileged few. But before we explore Duncan's groundbreaking contributions to banking, let’s step back and take a look at his early life. Born into a family where his father, George Duncan, was a minister, young Henry was exposed to education and community service from a young age. He attended the Dumfries Academy and later studied at St. Andrews University, but his initial career path took him in a different direction—commerce in Liverpool. Yet, the world of business wasn’t where his heart lay, and after a brief stint in commercial life, he returned to Scotland to pursue ministry, studying at Edinburgh and Glasgow before being ordained as a minister in 1798. It was in Ruthwell, where he became minister in 1799, that Henry Duncan truly left his mark. From the start, his ministry extended far beyond the church. He was deeply invested in the well-being of his parishioners, especially during times of hardship. When food shortages hit, he arranged to bring Indian corn from Liverpool to alleviate hunger. And when the threat of a French invasion loomed, Duncan not only raised a volunteer company but also became its captain—a clear demonstration of his commitment to his community. In addition to his hands-on ministry work, Duncan was also a man of letters. He founded The Dumfries and Galloway Courier, serving as its editor for seven years, and wrote a number of popular tracts, later collected under the title The Cottage Fireside. His contributions to literature reflected his deep concern for the welfare of the common folk, and these writings enjoyed widespread acclaim. Now, back to the institution for which Duncan is most famous: the Ruthwell Parish Savings Bank. Established in 1810, it was the first of its kind, designed specifically to enable the poor to save. Duncan's savings bank model quickly gained popularity, and his tireless advocacy for the cause led to the first parliamentary act to encourage such institutions. Thanks to his speeches, lectures, and pamphlets, the idea of savings banks spread across the country and eventually the world. Duncan’s commitment to the cause was not motivated by personal gain; he received no financial reward or official recognition for his efforts, only the appreciation of those who recognized the transformative power of his work. While the Ruthwell bank itself was not a lasting success—by 1875, only 29 accounts remained, and these were transferred to a nearby savings bank—its influence was profound. Duncan’s model became the foundation for the Trustee Savings Bank, which eventually merged into the modern TSB we know today. His legacy was commemorated in 2010, at a bicentenary conference held by the University of Edinburgh, where scholars reflected on the enduring impact of his vision in today’s financial and social landscapes. But Henry Duncan’s accomplishments weren’t limited to banking and ministry. He was also an amateur geologist and antiquarian. In 1818, he restored the famous Ruthwell Cross, one of Britain’s finest Anglo-Saxon monuments, which he discovered in his parish. His contributions to science included the discovery of fossilized footprints in a quarry near Lochmaben, which he presented to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1828. These were among the first fossil footprints ever recorded, and a cast of the tracks can still be seen at the National Museum of Scotland today. Duncan's influence in religious matters was also profound. He became the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1839 and played a significant role during the Disruption of 1843, when he left the established Church of Scotland to join the Free Church, a move that cost him his manse and much of his worldly possessions. Yet, as always, Duncan’s loyalty was to his principles and his community. Reverend Henry Duncan’s life was marked by a tireless commitment to improving the lives of others, from his innovative banking reforms to his contr...