Adam Ferguson, FRSE (Scottish Gaelic: Adhamh MacFhearghais), also known as Ferguson of Raith (1 July N.S./20 June O.S. 1723 – 22 February 1816), was a Scottish philosopher and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Adam Ferguson, FRSE (Scottish Gaelic: Adhamh MacFhearghais), also known as Ferguson of Raith (1 July N.S./20 June O.S. 1723 – 22 February 1816), was a Scottish philosopher and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Ferguson was pleased to acknowledged societies, such as the Highlands, for producing courage and loyalty. He criticized classified ad society as making men weak, dishonourable and unconcerned for their community. Ferguson has been called “the daddy of advanced sociology” for his contributions to the early further of the discipline. His best-known feat is his Essay on the History of Civil Society.
Born at Logierait in Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland, the son of Rev Adam Ferguson, he time-honored his education at Logierait Parish School, Perth Grammar School, and at the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews (MA 1742). In 1745, owing to his knowledge of Gaelic, he gained attainment as deputy chaplain of the 43rd (afterwards the 42nd) regiment (the Black Watch), the licence to preach being approved him by special dispensation, although he had not completed the required six years of theological study.
It remains a issue of debate as to whether, at the Battle of Fontenoy (1745), Ferguson fought in the ranks throughout the day, and refused to depart the field, though ordered to do as a result by his colonel. Nevertheless, he extremely did well, becoming principal chaplain in 1746. He continued attached to the regiment till 1754, when, disappointed at not obtaining a living, he left the clergy and resolved to devote himself to speculative pursuits.
After residing in Leipzig for a time, he returned to Edinburgh where in January 1757 he succeeded David Hume as librarian to the Faculty of Advocates (see Advocates’ Library), but soon relinquished this office on becoming tutor in the associates of the Earl of Bute.:xvi In 1759 Ferguson became professor of natural philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, and in 1764 transferred to the chair of “pneumatics” (mental philosophy) “and moral philosophy”.
In 1767, he published his Essay upon the History of Civil Society, which was competently received and translated into several European languages. In the mid-1770s he travelled another time to the Continent and met Voltaire. His relationship of The Poker Club is recorded in its minute stamp album of 1776.
In 1776, appeared his anonymous pamphlet upon the American Revolution in enemy to Dr Richard Price’s Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, in which he sympathised subsequently the views of the British legislature. In 1778 Ferguson was appointed secretary to the Carlisle Peace Commission which endeavoured, but without success, to negotiate an arrangement next the revolted colonies.
In 1780, he wrote the article “History” for the second edition of Encyclopædia Britannica. The article is 40 pages long and replaced the article in the first edition, which was forlorn one paragraph.
In 1783 appeared his History of the Progress and Termination of the Roman Republic, it became very popular and went through several editions. Ferguson believed that the history of the Roman Republic during the become old of their greatness formed a practical illustration of those ethical and political doctrines which he studied especially. The chronicles reads competently and impartially, and displays conscientious use of sources. The distress of the author’s military experience shows itself in sure portions of the narrative. Tired of teaching, he resigned his professorship in 1785, and devoted himself to the revision of his lectures, which he published (1792) under the title of Principles of Moral and Political Science.
In his seventieth year, Ferguson, intending to prepare a other edition of the history, visited Italy and some of the principal cities of Europe, where he was expected with honour by university societies. From 1795 he resided successively at Neidpath Castle near Peebles, at Hallyards on Manor Water, and at St Andrews, where he died upon 22 February 1816. He is buried in the churchyard of St Andrews Cathedral, against the east wall. His large mural monument includes a carved profile portrait in marble.