Smeton, Thomas

Smeton, Thomas, a learned Scotch divine and educator, was born in Gask, near Perth, in 1536. He was educated at the University of St. Andrew's, and afterwards studied in Paris. He went to Rome, and entered the Society of Jesuits; but, going to Geneva, he was confirmed in his intention of leaving the Church of Rome. From Geneva he went to Paris, where he narrowly escaped the massacre. Arriving in London, he publicly renounced popery, and settled at Colchester, Essex, as a schoolmaster. In 1578 he returned to Scotland, joined Knox and the other Reformers, was appointed minister of Paisley and member of the General Assembly which met at Edinburgh the same year, and was chosen moderator in the Assembly of 1579. He was soon after made principal of the College of Glasgow, and died in 1583. His only publication is entitled Responsio ad Hamiltonii Dialogum (Edinb. 1579, 8vo), a defense of the Presbyterians, to which is added Eximii Viri Joannis Knoxii, Scoticanoe Ecclesioe Instauratoris, etc. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.