Thomas Gordon (philosopher)

Last updated

Prof Thomas Gordon FRSE (1714-1797) was a Scottish philosopher, mathematician and antiquarian. He was Professor of Humanity at King's College, Aberdeen. He was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783. [1]

Contents

Life

He was the son of Prof. George Gordon, Professor of Hebrew at King's College in Aberdeen. His grandfather, also George Gordon was Principal of the College in 1684. Thomas attended University of Aberdeen, graduating MA in 1731. He thereafter held various positions at the College from Regent to Professor of Greek and Philosophy.

He was a member of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society from 1758 to 1773, and was one of the most active members of the Society, serving as secretary from 1761 - 1764 and again from 1767 - 1771. [2] Here he debated with its founders Prof John Gregory, Prof Robert Trail and Dr David Skene, and other members such as Prof Alexander Gerard.

He taught Robert Eden Scott (1770-1811) (later Prof R E Scott), his grandson, at the College.

He died on 11 March 1797. [1] [3]

Family

His second daughter Margaret died in 1797. [4]

His daughter Anna married Rev. Andrew Brown (d.1805). [5]

His daughter Elizabeth was the mother of Robert Eden Scott.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Enlightenment</span> Intellectual movement in 18th–19th century Scotland

The Scottish Enlightenment was the period in 18th- and early-19th-century Scotland characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. By the eighteenth century, Scotland had a network of parish schools in the Scottish Lowlands and five universities. The Enlightenment culture was based on close readings of new books, and intense discussions which took place daily at such intellectual gathering places in Edinburgh as The Select Society and, later, The Poker Club, as well as within Scotland's ancient universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Cemetery</span> Historic Victorian cemetery in Edinburgh

The Dean Cemetery is a historically important Victorian cemetery north of the Dean Village, west of Edinburgh city centre, in Scotland. It lies between Queensferry Road and the Water of Leith, bounded on its east side by Dean Path and on its west by the Dean Gallery. A 20th-century extension lies detached from the main cemetery to the north of Ravelston Terrace. The main cemetery is accessible through the main gate on its east side, through a "grace and favour" access door from the grounds of Dean Gallery and from Ravelston Terrace. The modern extension is only accessible at the junction of Dean Path and Queensferry Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dugald Stewart</span> Scottish philosopher and mathematician (1753–1828)

Dugald Stewart was a Scottish philosopher and mathematician. Today regarded as one of the most important figures of the later Scottish Enlightenment, he was renowned as a populariser of the work of Francis Hutcheson and of Adam Smith. Trained in mathematics, medicine and philosophy, his lectures at the University of Edinburgh were widely disseminated by his many influential students. In 1783 he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In most contemporary documents he is referred to as Prof Dougal Stewart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Beattie (poet)</span> Scottish poet, moralist and philosopher (1735–1803)

James Beattie was a Scottish poet, moralist, and philosopher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Walker (natural historian)</span> Scottish minister and natural historian (1731–1803)

John Walker FRSE (1731–1803) was a Scottish minister and natural historian. He was Regius Professor of Natural history at the University of Edinburgh from 1779 to 1803. He was joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783 and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1790.

Alexander Gerard FRSE was a Scottish minister, academic and philosophical writer. In 1764 he was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Anderson of Hermiston</span> Scottish agriculturist, journalist and economist (1739–1808)

James Anderson FRSE FSAScot was a Scottish agriculturist, journalist and economist. A member of the Edinburgh Philosophical Society, Anderson was a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. He invented the Scotch plough. As a writer he adopted the nom de plume of Agricola.

The Bonny Birdy is an English-language folk song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Gregory (physician)</span> Scottish physician and classicist

James Gregory was a Scottish physician and classicist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Gregory (moralist)</span> Scottish Enlightenment physician, medical writer and moralist

John Gregory, a.k.a. John Gregorie, was an eighteenth-century Scottish Enlightenment physician, medical writer and moralist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gordon (minister)</span> Scottish minister and writer

Robert Gordon FRSE was a Scottish minister and author. Originally prominent in the Church of Scotland, and serving as Moderator of the General Assembly in 1841, following the Disruption of 1843 he joined the Free Church of Scotland and became a prominent figure in that church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canongate Kirkyard</span> Cemetery in City of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

The Canongate Kirkyard stands around Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. The churchyard was used for burials from the late 1680s until the mid-20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyfriars Kirkyard</span> Graveyard in Edinburgh, Scotland

Greyfriars Kirkyard is the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located at the southern edge of the Old Town, adjacent to George Heriot's School. Burials have been taking place since the late 16th century, and a number of notable Edinburgh residents are interred at Greyfriars. The Kirkyard is operated by City of Edinburgh Council in liaison with a charitable trust, which is linked to but separate from the church. The Kirkyard and its monuments are protected as a category A listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Greenfield (minister)</span> Scottish minister, professor, literary critic, reviewer and author

William Greenfield FRSE was a Scottish minister, professor of rhetoric and belles lettres, literary critic, reviewer, and author whose clerical career ended in scandal, resulting in him being excommunicated from the Church of Scotland, having his university degrees withdrawn, and his family assuming his wife's patronymic Rutherfurd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Duncan (physician, born 1744)</span> British physician and founder of Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Andrew Duncan, the elder FRSE FRCPE FSA (Scot) was a British physician and professor at the University of Edinburgh. He was joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. As first proposer of an asylum in Edinburgh he gives his name to the Andrew Duncan Clinic which forms part of the Edinburgh City Hospital.

James Dunbar FRSE FSAS LL.D. was a British philosophical writer. He was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Dalzell</span> Scottish scholar

Andrew Dalzell FRSE (1742–1806) was a Scottish scholar and prominent figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1783 he was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Cosmo Gordon of Cluny FRSE (1736–1800) was a Scottish politician, agricultural improver and co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He sat in the House of Commons from 1774 to 1777 and was a Baron of the Scottish Court of Exchequer from 1777 until his death. He was for several years Rector of Marischal College in Aberdeen.

Alexander Hamilton FRSE FRCSE FRCPE (1739–1802) was a Scottish physician. He was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783. He was one of the first persons to recognise that puerperal fever was infectious. He was professor of midwifery at the University of Edinburgh.

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. "Papers of Aberdeen Philosophical Society (1758 - 1773) - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk.
  3. The Scots Magazine vol 59
  4. Gentlemans Magazine and Chronicle 1797, p.531
  5. "Collection: Transcripts and notes concerning the "Brown manuscript" of Scottish popular ballads | HOLLIS for". hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu.