William McClure Thomson

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William McClure Thomson (1806-1894) was an American Protestant missionary who worked extensively in Ottoman Syria, primarily in Beirut and Jerusalem. Born on December 31, 1806, in Springdale, Ohio, Thomson studied at the University of Miami in Ohio and theological seminary in Princeton before being sent to the Levant in 1833.

Thomson's early years were marked by significant challenges. Two of his predecessors had died, and two others were recalled due to illness or other reasons. In 1834, he married Maria Abbott, a widow from England who was previously married to Cornelius Van Alen Van Dyck, an English Consul. The couple settled in Jerusalem but returned to Beirut after the wife's death just 12 days later.

Thomson established a boarding school for boys in Beirut in 1835 with Rev. Hebard as his partner. However, their efforts were disrupted by the bombardment of the city, which lasted for one month and forced Pasha's army to retreat. Two years later, another outbreak of violence occurred, prompting Thomson to negotiate a truce once again. His local nickname became "Abu Tangera" – father of the cooking pot – due to his wide-rimmed hat.

As a dragoman, Thomson utilized his local knowledge to assist Bible scholars and other missionaries. In 1852, he accompanied Edward Robinson on one of his tours of the Holy Land, marking an important milestone in modern biblical archaeology. The following year, William Herschel and James Clerk joined as co-founders of this field.

Thomson played a crucial role in distributing aid to thousands of destitute refugees during their time in Beirut. In 1862, he proposed establishing a college with Daniel Bliss as its president at a mission meeting. This idea eventually led to the establishment of the Syrian Protestant College (SPC) in 1866, which later became known as the American University in Beirut.

Thomson's work was also marked by personal tragedy and loss. His wife died shortly after his return from a trip, leaving him with their young son. In 1873, Theophilus Waldmeier established Brummana High School on Thomson's advice. Thomson himself oversaw the distribution of £30,000 in aid to refugees.

Thomson spent nearly two years in Lebanon and the Land of Israel before publishing a book about the Bible. His life was also marked