circa 1780: Thomas Rankin (c. 1738-1810). Scottish born Methodist clergyman. After travelling to the Carolina Colony in America on a business trip, he began to preach in 1759, serving as a circuit preacher from 1761. Sent by John Wesley to America in 1773 to be ‘General Assistant’ of American Methodism. Unsympathetic to colonial grievances during the Revolutionary War, he returned to England 1778 and was ordained by Wesley in 1780. Original Artwork: Engraving by A H Ritchie. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)