In
1810 Dr. Henry Duncan opened the world's
first savings bank based on business principles, paying interest on
its investors' modest savings.
The original Ruthwell Parish Bank is now home of the
Savings Banks Museum. The
eighteenth century building houses a collection
of early home savings boxes, coins and bank notes from many parts
of the world. There are books on the worldwide spread of savings
banks. The modest but important archives
include documents and letters on the history of savings banks.

Rev. Henry Duncan
1774 - 1846 |
The Rev Henry Duncan was minister of the
parish church in Ruthwell for nearly 50 years. He became Moderator
of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and he was a leading
light in the Disruption of the Kirk in 1843.
Dr Duncan restored the magnificent medieval Ruthwell
Cross. The eighth century Cross is one of the finest Anglo-Saxon
crosses in Britain and has now been returned to its rightful place
in Ruthwell Church.
The
first scientific paper on fossil
footprints found in Corncockle
Quarry was presented by Duncan to the
Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1828.
A newspaper founder and editor, he also published
tracts and papers on parish savings banks, slavery emancipation,
education, improving conditions for teachers etc.
We hope you will visit us - discover our location
and contact us for any further information
that you may require.
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