Rev. George Gillespie, son of minister John Gillespie "The Thundering Preacher" of Kirkcaldy studied at St. Andrews University as a "Presbyterian bursar". After his graduation he became chaplain to John Gordon, first Viscount of Kenmure, then John Kennedy, sixth Earl of Cassilis. After the bishops' authority of the church had been abolished in 1638 in April of that year he was finally ordained minister in Wemyss in Fife and was a member of the Glasgow Assembly. In 1640 he accompanied the Commissioners of Peace to London. Beginning in 1643 he was a member of the Westminster Assembly, one of four members of the Scottish church. In 1648 he was elected to moderator of the General Assembly and was Minister of St. Giles, the prestigious High Kirk of Edinburgh. The Moderator is the Chair of the Church of Scotland's annual business meeting, the General Assembly, when representatives of each congregation - the Minister and one chosen elder - gather in Edinburgh every May to hear annual reports on the work of the Church and to rule on matters of faith and church life as the supreme court of the Church. The Moderator is appointed each year and for one year only is the representative face of the Church of Scotland in public life and visits. Unfortunately, the rigours of that office took a toll on his health and he died of consumption in Kirkcaldy on Dec. 17, 1648. In 1661 on the orders of Archbishop Sharp, his tombstone was broken at the Mercat Cross in Kirkcaldy, and was only replaced with the one still in the south porch by his grandson 100 years later in 1746. Rev. Gillespie published several books on religion: Aaron's Rod Blossoming, One Hundred and Eleven Propositions concerning the Ministry and Government of the Church (Edinburgh, 1647),A Treatise of Miscellany Questions (1649), The Ark of the New Testament (2 vols., 1661–1667), Notes of Debates and Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, from February 1644 to January 1645, An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland, in the points of ruling-elders, and of the authority of presbyteries and synods : with a postscript in answer to a treatise lately published against presbyteriall government .. (1641), An Useful Case of Conscience Discussed and Resolved: Concerning Associations and Confederacies ... (1649), The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2), Testimony-bearing exemplified : a collection. Containing, I. Gillepsie against association with malignants; together with the causes of God's wrath, agreed upon by the General assembly of the Church of Scotland, met at Edinburgh, October 1651. II. The informatory vindication; to which is subjoined, a collection of excellent laws, (or Eschol grapes) in favours of our covenanted reformation .. (1791).