Thomas Guthrie D.D. (1803 – 1873) was a Scottish divine and philanthropist, born at Brechin in Angus (at that time also called Forfarshire). 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 studied for the Church, and became the Minister of Arbirlot, in Angus, and then of Free St. John's chapel Edinburgh. Possessed of a commanding presence and voice, and a remarkably effective and picturesque style of oratory, he became perhaps the most popular preacher of his day in Scotland, and was associated with many forms of philanthropy, especially temperance and ragged schools, of which he was a founder. His hard work as a proponent and founder of Ragged Schools led him to be quoted by Samuel Smiles in his famous book Self Help.[1] He was one of the leaders of the Free Church of Scotland, and raised over £100,000 for manses for its ministers. Among his writings are The Gospel in Ezekiel and Plea for Ragged Schools (1847)[2], and The City, its Sins and Sorrows. His statue on Edinburgh's Princes Street bears the following inscriptions: Thomas Guthrie died in 1873 and was buried in The Grange cemetery. His will[3] left his copy of the National Covenant to the Free Church. Thomas Guthrie was father of Lord Guthrie and the great-grandfather of Tyrone Guthrie (1900-1971), a theatre director in Britain, Canada and Ireland. This article incorporates public domain text from: Cousin, John William (1910). A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London, J. M. Dent & sons; New York, E. P. Dutton.