Biography

David Hume. (1711-1776)

Scottish philosopher, historian, librarian and educator. Son of Joseph Hume of Ninewells (1680-1713) and Catherine Falconer (b. 1683). Brother of John Hume. A friend of Adam Smith. Member of The Poker Club.

In his own time he was most famous for having written the History of England, but is today best known as the philosopher responsible for such works as Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, A Treatise on Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.

Life with James Boswell:

Boswell first met Hume in Edinburgh in July 1758, apparently with an introductory letter (or something like that) from William Temple. In a letter to Temple of July 29, 1758, Boswell wrote "Some days ago I was introduced to your friend Mr. Hume; he is a most discreet, affable man as ever I met with, and has realy a great deal of learning, and a choice collection of books. He is indeed an extraordinary man, few such people are to be met with nowadays. We talk a great deal of genius, fine language, improiving our style, %c., but I am afraid, sollid learning is much wore out. Mr Hume, I think, is a very proper person for a young man to cultivate an acquaintance with; though he has not, perhaps, the most delicate taste, yet he has apply'd himself with great attention to the study of the ancients, and is likewise a great historian, so that you are not only entertained in his company, but may reap a great deal of usefull instruction. I own myself much obliged to you, dear Sir, for procuring me the pleasure of his acquaintance."¹

On November 4, 1762, Boswell and Erskine went to see Hume in Edinburgh. The description of the ensuing conversation in the journal of his harvest jaunt that same fall, seems to be one of his first attempts to write down the details of particular conversations, as he later did when in the company of Dr. Johnson and others. The conversation hit upon literary subjects such as David Mallet, Tobias Smollet, Tristram Shandy (by Laurence Sterne), Fingal (written or collected by James Macpherson) and Lord Kames.

On February 18, 1763 Boswell sent Hume a letter, telling Hume about the trick played upon him by Andrew Erskine and George Dempster, and inquiring whether Hume would be interested in corresponding with him. On February 28 he received an answer from Hume, who complained that Boswell and Erskine had quoted a part of the private conversation they'd had with Hume on November 4, 1762, in their Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of 'Elvira', written by Mr. David Malloch (see also David Mallet). Boswell replied on March 1, writing a humorous and slightly apologetic letter. Hume apparently did not reply. Hume's letter and Boswell's reply can be found in the LJ or here (Link).

Hume doesn't appear to have been too angry with the mischiefs, and in a letter of 12/1-1766 from Hume to the Countess de Bouflers, Hume writes about Boswell's accompanying Jean-Jacques Rosseau's mistress, Therése La Vasseur, to London "I learn that Mademoiselle sets out first in company with a friend of mine, a young gentleman very good-humoured, very agreeable, and very mad". (Boswelliana, p. 50) This may actually be one of the very best short descriptions of Boswell ever coined.

Boswell also mentions (a few times throughout February 1763) reading Hume's History of England, which enlarged [his] views. (LJ200263)

In 1776 Boswell got, what has later been termed, the journalistic scoop of the 18th century: On July 7 he visited David Hume, and got a last interview with the dying philosopher. Boswell was curious as to whether Hume could keep up his religious scepticism and atheism, even at death's door. It turned out, that Hume was just as calm and clear as ever, and still believed in the annihilation of the soul at the same time as that of the body. Boswell later had nightmares about the notion. Boswell's own record of the interview is published in Boswell in Extremes, 1776-1778, which is unfortunately the volume of his journals which is hardest and most expensive to come by.² Hume died on August 24, and his funeral on August 29 was attended by both Boswell and John Johnston.

External links:

• David Hume - life and writings - from the Internet Enc. of Philosphy
• David Hume - at Wikipedia

Literature:

From Amazon.co.uk

• Search for books by or about David Hume on Amazon.co.uk
• Free online edition of Hume's History of England (Liberty Fund)

You can also try searching the Abebooks used books search engine. A lot of his philosophical works are available directly from Questia, The Internet's Largest Library, as are a large number of books and articles about Hume and his philosophy.

This article was last updated at February 13 2008 23:13:46 CET

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