James Dunbar (writer)
Appearance
James, Dunbar | |
---|---|
Born | 1742 |
Died | 28 May 1798 Aberdeen |
Nationality | British |
Era | 18th century philosophy |
Movement | Scottish Enlightenment |
James Dunbar (born 1742, died 28 May 1798) was a British philosophical writer.[1] He was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783.[2]
Life
[edit]He was educated at King's College, Aberdeen, of which he was elected a regent in 1766, and in that capacity he taught moral philosophy as a Professor there for thirty years.[1]
Dunbar was in favour of the amalgamation of King's College with Marischal College.
He died in his rooms at King's College on 28 May 1798.[1] He was replaced by Prof Robert Eden Scott in 1800.
Publications
[edit]He published:[1]
- De Primordiis Civitatum Oratio in qua agitur de Bello Civili inter Magnam Britanniam et Colonias nunc flagrante, London, 1779, quarto.
- Essays on the History of Mankind in rude and uncultivated ages, London, 1780, octavo; 2nd edition 1781.
The latter work deals with such topics as the "Primeval Form of society", "Language as an Universal Accomplishment", "The Criterion of a Polished Tongue", "The Hereditary Genius of Nations".[1]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Rigg 1888, p. 153.
- ^ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2013.
References
[edit]- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rigg, James McMullen (1888). "Dunbar, James". In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 16. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 153. ; Endnotes:
- Fasti Aberdon. (Spalding Club), volume lxxxviii.
- Thom's Aberdeen, volume ii. app. i. 13, 14, 52
- Nichols's Lit. Illustr. iv. 822
- Gentlemen's Magazine (1798), pages 539, 622.