John Spottiswood or Spottiswoode or Spotiswood or Spotswood | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1510 |
| Died | 1585 |
| Denomination | (1) Roman Catholic (2) Church of Scotland |
| Alma mater | Glasgow |
John Spottiswood (1510–1585) was a religious reformer in 16th century Scotland.
Spottiswood went to London, where he imbibed the principles of the Reformation from Archbishop Cranmer. He returned to Scotland in 1543, and was presented by Sir James Sandilands of Calder in 1548. He joined the Reformers in 1560, and was one of six elected for drawing up the First Book of Discipline, and Confession of Faith. He became Superintendent of Lothian on 9 March 1561. In 1562 the parishioners complained to the General Assembly that Spottiswood's duties as Superintendent prevented him discharging all his duties of minister of the parish. The reply was that owing to the rarity of ministers it could not be otherwise, and that "the profit of many churches was to be preferred to the profit of one."[1] He died on 5 December 1585. His son relates that he was " a man well esteemed for his piety and wisdom; loving and beloved of all persons, charitable to the poor, and careful above all things to give no man offence."[2]