Duncan Shaw (minister, born 1925)
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Duncan Shaw | |
|---|---|
| Moderator of the General Assembly | |
| Church | Church of Scotland |
| In office | 1987 to 1988 |
| Predecessor | Robert Craig |
| Successor | James A. Whyte |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 29 July 1951 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 January 1925 |
| Died | 20 February 2018 (aged 93) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Denomination | Presbyterianism |
| Occupation | Church minister and historian |
Duncan Shaw (27 January 1925 – 20 February 2018) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister, historian, and author. He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1987 to 1988.[1][2][3]
Shaw was born on 27 January 1925 in Edinburgh, Scotland: he grew up in a tenement flat in the Meadowbank area of the city.[1] He was educated at Broughton High School, a state school in Broughton, Edinburgh.[1] After leaving school, he was a law apprentice.[3]
In February 1943, at the age of 18, Shaw enlisted into the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) to serve during the Second World War.[2][3] He went on to hold every rank between lance corporal and Warrant Officer Class 1 (the most senior non-commissioned rank).[2] He served in the United Kingdom and in India, before being demobbed in October 1947.[3] It was while serving in the British Army that he first grew a handlebar moustache for which he was noted for wearing.[1]
Returning to Scotland after the war, Shaw decided to join the ministry rather than continue his legal career.[1] From 1947 to 1951, he studied at the University of Edinburgh.[2] He continued his studies at Edinburgh: he undertook research for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Scottish history under the supervision of Professor Gordon Donaldson.[3] His doctoral thesis was titled "The origin and development of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 1560–1600", and was completed in 1962.[4] He was awarded a Doctor of Theology (ThDr) degree by the Charles University in Prague in 1969.[3]
Ordained ministry
Shaw was ordained for the Church of Scotland and installed as minister of St Margaret's Church, Dumbiedykes, Edinburgh on 29 July 1951.[1][3] He tended to serve in churches in working-class communities.[1] He moved to become minister of St Christopher's Church, Craigentinny, Edinburgh in 1959, and served there until he retired on 3 January 1997.[1][3]
Moderator
Shaw was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in succession to Robert Craig.[2] He served as moderator from 1987 to 1988.[1] He invited Margaret Thatcher, the then prime minister, to address the Assembly when it met in May 1988: her address was known as the Sermon on the Mound.[1]