Rev David Dutton
PhD Researcher
History and Politics - Division 13 Acredales Haddington East Lothian EH41 4Nt
Contact details
- Email d.w.dutton@stir.ac.uk
About me
I was born in 1947 in Jarrow, Co. Durham, where I attended the local grammar school. After studying Social Administration at Dundee University, I trained for the ministry at Westminster College, Cambridge and, in 1973, I was ordained a minister of word and sacrament in the United Reformed Church. As part of my post-ordination training I obtained a BA from the Open University. After serving in pastorates in Northumberland and Cleveland, in 1980, I moved to the Church of Scotland. For six years I was minister of the parishes of Westray and Papa Westray, in the North Isles of Orkney and for twenty-two years minister at the High Kirk in Stranraer. For most of my time in Galloway I served as Clerk to the Presbytery of Wigtown and Stranraer. Since retiring, in 2008, I have been pursuing my interest in church history. In 2018 I graduated from the University of Wales Trinity St David with a Master of Theology Degree in Church History (distinction) and I am currently studying for an MPhil at Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV. I am married with a grown up son and two grandchildren.
I am interested in church history in general and the history of the church in Haddington in particular. My master¡¯s dissertation was entitled ¡®Minister of the Gospel at Haddington: the Life and Work of the Reverend John Brown (1722-1787)¡¯. I am currently working on a dissertation, which has the working title, ¡®A Singular Solace; the Ecclesiastical History of Haddington from1560 to 2000.¡¯ The aim of my research is to provide an integrated account of the various denomination in the burgh since the Reformation. Much has been written about St. Mary¡¯s, which has a long history going back to Saxon times, but not a lot has been published about the Episcopalian, dissenting and Roman Catholic congregations that emerged from the 18th century onwards. I hope to demonstrate the extent of ecclesiastical diversity in the town.