Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

42843

Title

Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume 1

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Hill Burton presents a definitive biography of David Hume, utilizing a vast collection of original letters and manuscripts bequeathed to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This volume chronicles Hume's early life, education, and intellectual development, offering an impartial portrait of his character and literary labours through contemporary correspondence.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume I*, John Hill Burton presents a comprehensive biography of the Scottish philosopher, constructed from a vast collection of original documents bequeathed by Hume's nephew to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Burton justifies his approach by arguing that when original manuscripts are first utilized, it is a duty to truth to present the subject's character, conduct, and circumstances precisely as they were, without omitting aspects merely because they might be beneath received notions of dignity. The narrative begins with Hume's birth at Ninewells, tracing his family background, education, and early studies. It details his pivotal decision to abandon a career in law for philosophy, driven by an early ambition to found a distinct school of thought. The text follows Hume's travels to France, where he engaged with prominent figures of the Enlightenment, and his interactions with the intellectual circles of Paris and Rheims. A significant portion of the work addresses the scarcity of previous biographical resources, utilizing private papers to provide a balanced view that rejects passages unfairly damaging to reputations while ensuring no significant aspect of Hume's life is omitted. Burton clarifies that while he possesses access to extensive correspondence with intimate friends like Adam Smith, he has carefully screened the material to avoid publishing allusions to the domestic conduct of living persons, a responsibility he felt toward the Council of the Royal Society. The biography aims to satisfy the public's desire to understand the inner nature of great men, moving beyond the pomp of public intercourse to reveal the fountainhead of Hume's intellect. Furthermore, Burton dispels rumors regarding the contents of the Hume papers, specifically denying claims that they contained evidence of duplicity among Scottish clergy, stating that no such letters were found. The volume also includes Hume's literary labours, his political economy, and his historical inquiries, supported by primary source material that offers an impartial estimation of one of the age's most influential minds.

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Biography