A Family of Letters: Close Relations and Associations of the Scottish Enlightenment Bud Duane Clark
In his book the Scottish Enlightenment Alexander Broadie has noted that the illuminati of that era consisted in a, ‘‘complex set of relations within a group of geniuses, and other immensely creative people, many linked by kinship, who were living out of each other’s intellectual pocket.’’ The following is a sketch of some of relations that professor Broadie may have in mind and perhaps some he did not. Every essay should have a touch of romanticism. So my starting point here is in the highlands of Scotland in the troubled years of the Jacobite uprisings with Robert Macgregor. He was born in 1671 to Donald Glas Macgregor and Margaret Campbell at the head of Loch Katrine and went on to distinguish himself as one of the most famous fugitives of all time – best known as Rob Roy. The Macgregor’s were ‘‘uniquely troublesome among the highlanders’’ and June of 1693 the name Macgregor was banned.1 Because the surname Macgregor no longer had any legal standing in commerce, business or law, members of the clan took new names. Some assumed names closely reminiscent of the clan name like Gregory, and this is the backdrop of one of the most renowned families of the enlightenment, Gregories of Aberdeen. There are stories that James Gregory, Professor at the University of Aberdeen
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actually met Rob Roy Macgregor as early as 1715 when the famous highlander came to Aberdeen to recruit men from the scattered descendents of the Macgregor clan for the Jakobite cause. Where this story is dubious, the two kinsmen are also reported to have met in 1726.2 In his History of the University of Glasgow James Coutts tells us that, ‘‘Reid’s mother belonged to a lowland off shoot of the wild highland clan Macgregor that had the name of Gregory, and hardly any family could vie with the Gregories in the number of distinguished professors they continued for some generations to produce’’3 Indeed, Margaret Gregory, Thomas Reid’s mother, was the daughter of David Gregory the elder brother of James Gregory, the inventor of the reflecting telescope. Her brother was Savilian Professor
of Astronomy at Oxford and an intimate friend of Sir Isaac Newton.4 The Gregory family of Aberdeen produced Scientists, mathematicians, physicians and philosophers. Indeed, one could tell the story of the Scottish enlightenment by tracing the contributions of the Gregory.5,6 Thomas Reid’s contributions to the Scottish intellect was iconic. His common sense philosophy became known as the Scottish school.7 ‘‘Reid was born at the Manse of Strachan, Kincardinshire, in 1710, and it is notable that his contemporary Immanuel Kant, the great German philosopher, was also a descended from a family named Cant long settled in Strachan, one of whom was covenanting worthy.’’8 Reid was a close friend many of the luminaries of his day including Lord Kames, the philosophical judge. Reid and Kames had an enduring friendship, ‘‘they continued fast friends from 1767 till the death of Kames in 1782, Reid usually spending a good part of the college vacation at Blair Drummond with Lord Kames.’’9 Henry Home, the later Lord Kames was himself a relative to David Hume. ‘‘Home, which in Scotland, is invariably pronounced ‘Hume’. His friend and very distant kinsman, David Hume, had changed the spelling of his sir name from ‘Home’ to ‘Hume’ to reflect that pronunciation’’10
Reid, Kames and Hume, like many of the intellectuals of the enlightenment, were members of literary clubs and philosophical societies.11 While in living in Aberdeen Reid
belonged to a number of philosophically minded organizations.There was the Philosophical Club of 1736–1737, the Theological Club founded by George Campbell in the early 1740s, the Gordon’s Mill Farming Club and the Aberdeen Philosophical Society founded in 1758. Members of the Philosophical Society included John Gregory, a relative of Reid, David Skene, John Stewart, George Skene, John Ross and William Ogilvie.12 When Reid moved south he continued the practice of participating in clubs. ‘‘Reid was a member of the Literary Society which long flourished in connection with the University . . . The Society was established in January, 1752, and then or subsequently included among its members, Cullen, Black, Adam Smith, Moor, Robert Simpson, Anderson, Reid, Mure of Caldwell, Oswald of Scotstoun, Graham of Dugalston, Lord Cardross afterwards Earl of Buchan, David Hume, Robert and Andrew Foulis, and many others.’’13 In Glasgow as well as in Edinburgh there were clubs and societies where the members could test out their ideas in dialog and debate. One such organization in Edinburgh was the ‘‘Select Society’’ It membership ‘‘included such men, Sir Gilbert Elliot, Alexander Wedderburn (afterwards Lord Loughborough), Andrew Pringle (afterwards Lord Alemoor), Professor Hugh Blair, Professor William Wilkie, author of The Epigoniad, Lord Kames, Lord Hailes, Lord Elibank, Charles Townshend, Sir John Dalrymple, Dr. Robertson the historian and afterwards Principle of the University of Edinburgh, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Fergusson the poet.’’14 Additional members included, Lord Monboddo and Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh Dugald Stewart. Most of these members were also in the ranks of the Poker Club.15 In Glasgow there was the Anderston Club which ‘‘met in the hostelery, in what was then a suburban village of that name, every Saturday at two o’clock, when dinner was served.’’ Also in Glasgow there was the Hodge Podge a ‘‘freer and less classical type than the Anderston.’’16 The Hodge Podge Club membership included eminent men of science like Dr. Thomas Hamilton. There were many father and son academic legacies throughout the Scottish enlightenment. At the University of Glasgow, there were generations of professors from the Hamiltons.17 Dr. Thomas Hamilton was Regis Professor of Anatomy who was succeeded by his son Dr. William Hamilton on the strong recommendation of William Hunter. Dr.
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William Hamilton’s son was Sir William Hamilton the renowned professor of moral philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. Also at the University of Glasgow there was the Father and son heritage of Principle Davidson and his son Robert who was Professor of Civil Law. At the University of Edinburgh there was Alexander Munro who was Professor of Astronomy, whose son also named Alexander became professor of Anatomy. Mathew Stewart, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh was followed by his son Dugald into the professorship as well, first assuming his father’s post and later as a celebrated Professor of Moral Philosophy. Further north in Aberdeen Professor of Moral Philosophy Alexander Gerard was followed in the same post by his son Gilbert.
agreeable among either the laity or clergy. This he always did, but still more unsparingly when he became what he called rich. For innocent mirth and agreeable raillery I never knew his match. Jardine (another of the moderate clergy), who sometimes bore hard upon him – for he had much drollery and wit, though but little learning – never could overturn his temper.’’18,19 Alexander Carlyle, minister at Inveresk Midlothian, and Dr. Jardine were frequent guests of the philosopher David Hume. Jean Jardine of Applegirth was Alexander Carlyle’s paternal grandmother and Dr. John Jardine was consequently his cousin.20 Professor George Jardine of Glasgow was also descended from the Jardines of Applegirth and as such would be a distant kin to Carlyle and Dr. Jardine.21 George Jardine was Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at the University of Glasgow. He married Janet Lindsay of Glasgow. Jardine’s brother in law, Mr. Lindsay was married to the niece of Thomas Reid. ‘‘Their only child was a beautiful girl, whom Professor Wilson took in after years as a model for the heroine of his Trials of Margaret Lyndsay.’’22 John Wilson, the future Christopher North, lived in the home of George Jardine during his college years at the University of Glasgow.23 George and Janet Jardine had a son, James. He became sheriff of Ross and Cromarty. John married into the Bruce of Kinnard family. James Bruce of Kinnard was an explorer who, in 1768 set out in for the search of the origins of the Nile River.24
In addition to direct bloodlines and literary societies the illuminati of the Scottish enlightenment met regularly and informally at each other’s homes for dinner and conversation. A fine example of this practice comes via the philosopher David Hume. Alexander Carlyle recalls, ‘‘Despite his frugality, Hume was able to give ‘‘little suppers’’ now & then to a few select friends,’’ simple meals consisting of roasted hen, minced collops, and a bottle of punch . . . and . . . best of all, he furnished the entertainment with the most instructive and pleasing conversation, for he assembled whosoever were most knowing and
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Professor Jardine was a student of Adam Smith and colleague of Thomas Reid, Millar the celebrated professor of law and Mylene. Smith had been a student of Francis Hutchison, an early advocate of the moral sense theory. Millar and Jardine were held in high regard by Adam Smith and Smith sent his cousin David Douglas to Glasgow to attend Millar’s classes.25 It is interesting too that the very frugal David Hume paid the tuition for his nephew, also named David Hume, to go to the University of Glasgow to study under Millar. It is recorded that Hume took great pride in his nephew’s progress with Millar.26 Mylene was Millar’s successor at the University of Glasgow and to keep it all in the family married Millar’s daughter. George Jardine successfully oversaw the education of John Wilson, who after taking the Snell Exhibition to Oxford was elected
Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh in 1820. Wilson won the chair over his friend Sir William Hamilton. Both Hamilton and Wilson were students of Professor Jardine while at the university of Glasgow. In Edinburgh Wilson became involved with Blackwood’ Magazine. In the early days of this association Wilson had a group of friends that would meet at his house. Mrs. Gordon, Wilson’s daughter described the literary circle, ‘‘Many were the pleasant reunions that took place under Professor Wilson’s roof, there might be seen together Lockhart, Hogg, Galt, Sir William Hamilton, his brother, Captain Thomas Hamilton, Sir Adam Ferguson, Sir Henry Raeburn, Mr. Allen, and Watson Gordon.27 Captain Thomas Hamilton was the philosopher’s brother and author in his own right. The English transplant and renowned author Thomas De Quincey lived with the Wilsons in 1826 through 1827. While living there De Quincey helped Wilson with his lectures on political economy.28 Another Edinburgh intellectual close to Wilson was John Lockhart. He was essentially Wilson’s literary partner.29 Lockhart married into another famous literary family that of Sir Walter Scott.30 Walter Scott, while at the University of Edinburgh, attended Dugald Stewart’s course in Moral Philosophy.31 While Stewart was a student he attended Thomas Reid’s class in Glasgow. While he was Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh Stewart played a significant role in the development of another great poet’s career, that of Robert Burns. Burns also got to know Stewart’s predecessor Adam Ferguson and Professor Hugh Blair. In 1787, when Walter Scott was still a school-boy he met Robert Burns. ‘‘I saw him one day at the late venerable Professor Ferguson’s where there were several gentleman of literary reputation, among whom I remember the celebrated Mr. Dugald Stewart. Of course we youngsters sate silent, looked and listened’’32 Another interesting connection with Scott is that his first and perhaps only love, Williamina Belches, was tutored by James Mill. Mill was a student of Dugald Stewart and the father of John Stuart Mill.33 Scott had further ties to Edinburgh’s philosophical elite. James Ferrier, Professor of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy at St. Andrews University, was a nephew of John Wilson.
Ferrier attended high school courses by James Grey, a friend of Wilson’s and brother in law to James Hogg.34 At University Ferrier studied under Wilson in moral philosophy. Also while in Edinburgh Ferrier became close friends with Sir William Hamilton who greatly influenced his philosophical views. Later Ferrier married Wilson’s daughter, his cousin. Walter Scott, Lockhart’s father-in-law was a close friend of the Ferrier family and often took holidays with them. When James Ferrier the grandfather of the St. Andrews philosopher passed away, Scott attended the funeral. The literary association for the Ferrier family continued to the next generation as Ferrier’s son, Walter was a very close friend of Robert Louis Stevenson. So from Rob Roy to the author of Treasure Island, ‘‘The Literati knew each other, they lived in each other’s intellectual pockets, were forever visiting each other.’’35 . . . just as one would expect from an extended family of letters. Notes 1
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Stevenson, David, The Hunt for Rob Roy The Man and the Myths, John Donald Publishers, Edinburgh 2004 pp. 22. See The Hunt for Rob Roy: The man and Myths by David Stevenson pp. 226 – 7. (Coutts, James A history of the University of Glasgow, from its Foundation in 1451 to 1909, Glasgow, James Maclehose and Sons Publishers to the University 1090. Pp. 313) The Life and Writings of Thomas Reid, D.D., F.R.S.E., Late Professor of Moral Philosophy in The University of Glasgow. Dugald Stewart, 1803 I owe this observation to Colin Kidd. Reid wrote an account of the Gregory family for Huton’s Math Dictionary; see University of Glasgow special collections, MS3061/26. This is true especially from an international perspective. See McColl’s Scottish Philosophy or histories like Schneider’s History of American Philosophy. Coutts 314 Coutts 315 See Alexander Fraser Tytler’s The Life and Writings of Henry Home of Kames, pp. iv. Also see Alexander Broadie The Enlightenment in Scotland in his book The Scottish Enlightenment, pages 25 - 30 For a more thorough discussion on the societies in Aberdeen see Paul Wood’s
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essay Science and the Aberdeen Enlightenment in Philosophy and Science in the Scottish Enlightenment, ed. Peter Jones, 1988. Coutts, Coutts 316 Knight, William, Lord Monboddo And Some Of His Contemporaries. John Murray, London 1900. See Carlyle, Alexander. Anecdotes and Characters of the Times pages 213 -215 for his description of membership and activities. Veitch, John Memoir of Sir William Hamilton BART. William Blackwell and Sons 1869 Page 8 See John Veitch Memoir of Sir William Hamilton BART. William Blackwell and Sons 1869. Autobiography of Dr. Alexander Carlyle of Inveresk, ed. John Hill Burton (289). Just for fun here for Hume’s collops dinner. Collops were introduced to Scottish cuisine from the French. Perhaps Hume had picked this recipe while living in France. More likely the recipe derived from the French influence brought about by the marriage between James V of Scotland and Marie de Guise. Collops: 1lb of beef, 1oz. of toasted oatmeal, 1 medium onion, 1-2 T vegetable oil, 11/4C stock or broth, and 1 small can of mushrooms, 2-3T Worcestershire sauce.
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Heat the oil in a pan, then add onion and saute´ until golden brown. Add minced beef, cook until brown. Toast oatmeal until golden brown then add stock. Cover and simmer gently for a ½ hour. Add mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce, stir well. Serve with mashed potatoes. (http:// www.historichighlanders.com/auldfood.htm) Carlyle, Alexander. Anecdotes and Characters of the Times, Edited by James Kinsley, Oxford University press, London 1973, pp.13. It would be easy confuse the two Jardines, thinking Professor George Jardine was an intimate friend of the famous philosopher. However, an examination of Professor Jardines life does not support such a conclusion. (Gordon, ‘Christopher North’ A Memoir of John Wilson, Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh, 1862). Vol. I pp.32 Gordon, Vol. I pp. 22 After all his dangerous adventures and mishaps in Africa James Bruce died falling down the stairs in his home – drunk. Dictionary of National Biography vol VIII, 403 574, The Life of David Hume by E.C. Mossner Gordon, Vol. I pp. 300
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(Thompson, Ferrier of St. Andrews, Scottish academic Press Limited, 1985 pp 12) See Gordon, ‘Christopher North’ A Memoir of John Wilson, Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh, 1862) Vol. II for a detailed look at Wilson’s and Lockhart’s interactions. Arthur Thompson, Ferrier of St. Andrews, Scottish Academic Press Limited Edinburgh, 1985 pp. 4. Also see Memoir of Lockhart. J.G. Lockhart, Memoirs of Sir Walter Scott London, Macmillan and Co., Limited 1900. Pp 108. (Lockhart, John. Gibson. Memoirs of Sir Walter Scott London, Macmillan and Co., Limited 1900 115) See Stephen Gwenn The Life of Sir Walter Scott, Thornton Butterworth Limited, London 1930, pp. 55. The name of Stuart in J.S. Mill was given to the son of James Mill in regard for that family. (Thompson, pp. 4) Broadie, pg 25
(See Scottish men of letters in the eighteenth century by Henry Grey Graham) There is something of an academic pedigree to the Scottish enlightenment with two distinct branches one of moral sense and the other of common sense. Moral Sense pedigree: Francis Hutchison – his student was Adam Smith, whose student was George Jardine whose students were Sir William Hamilton and John Wilson, whose student was Ferrier. Common Sense pedigree: Thomas Reid whose student was Dugald Stewart whose students were Walter Scott and James Mill.