Thomas, a very learned man, but of a singular character. He was born in Scotland, but we do not find in what year. He went over to France for the sake of embracing the Catholic religion, and taught classical learning at Paris about the beginning of the 17th century. Though his business was to teach school, yet he was as ready to draw his sword, and as quarrelsome as if he had been a duellist by profession; and it is said, that there scarce passed a day but he had something or other of this kind upon his hands. This spirit and turn of temper drew him into many scrapes; and one in particular, which obliged him to quit the country. Grangier, principal of the college of Beauvais at Paris, being obliged to take a journey, appointed Dempster his substitute. Dempster caused whip a scholar, in full school, for challenging one of his fellows to fight a duel. The scholar, to revenge this affront, brought three gentlemen of his relations, who were of the king's life-guards, into the college. Dempster made the whole college take arms; hamstringed the three life-guard-men's horses before the college gate; and put himself into such a posture of defence, that the three sparks were forced to ask for quarter. He gave them their lives; but imprisoned them, and did not release them for some days. They fought another way to revenge themselves: they caused an information to be made of the life and moral behaviour of Dempster, and got some witnesses to be heard against him. Upon this he went over to England, where he found refuge; but did not make any long stay. He went abroad again, and read lectures upon polite learning in several universities; in that of Nîmes particularly, where he disputed for a professor's chair, and obtained it. He went to Bologna, and was professor there for the remainder of his life; and was there also admitted a member of the Academy Della Rotte. He died there in September 1625, leaving behind him several learned works; as Commentaries on Rufinus de Antiquitatis Romanorum, and upon Claudian, &c.; four books of Epistles; several dramatic pieces, and other poems; some books of law; an Apparatus to the History of Scotland; a Martyrology of Scotland; and a List of the Scottish Writers.

DEMPSTER of Court, the name formerly given in Scotland to the common executioner or hangman.