William Cunningham (theologian)
William Cunningham (2 October 1805 – 14 December 1861) was a Scottish theologian.
Cunningham was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire and studied at the University of Edinburgh. He was ordained a minister in the Church of Scotland, but left in the Disruption of 1843 to become one of the founders of the Free Church of Scotland. Cunningham was appointed Professor of Theology at the New College, Edinburgh, before transferring to the chair of Church History in 1845.[1] He succeeded Thomas Chalmers as Principal in 1847 and served in that position until his death.
Cunningham specialised in historical theology, and wrote a two volume work on the subject. He also wrote The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation. William Garden Blaikie suggests that he was the "ablest defender of Calvinism in his day" and that the "gentleness of his personal character was a striking contrast to his boldness and vehemency in controversy."[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "William Cunningham". Banner of Truth Trust. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- ^
Blaikie, William Garden (1885–1900). "Cunningham, William (1805-1861)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
Further reading[edit]
- Robert Rainy and James Mackenzie, Life of William Cunningham D.D., 1871.
- 1805 births
- 1861 deaths
- Ministers of the Church of Scotland
- Ministers of the Free Church of Scotland
- Scottish Calvinist and Reformed theologians
- 19th-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
- Academics of the University of Edinburgh
- Church historians
- People from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
