Rev. Dr. Henry Duncan

The Rev. Henry Duncan (1774 - 1846) "Father of Savings Banks," would have earned a place in history even without his efforts to save the Ruthwell Cross. He was also a leading geologist, antiquarian and an accomplished artist. He was the discoverer of the first fossil footprints in Britain at Corncockle Quarry near Lochmaben, and wrote a distinguished paper that was presented to the Royal Society in Edinburgh. His concerns for the poverty of the day and the shame that was attributed to claiming the poor rate led him to set up the first ever savings bank in 1810.

From:

http://www.thereformation.info/revduncan.htm

Other References

• Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae: the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation, Vol. II, page 255