Thomas Reid

1710 - 1796

Philosopher. Born at Strachan (Aberdeenshire), the son of a church minister, Reid was educated at his local parish school followed by Marischal College, Aberdeen. After time as the University Librarian, during which time he read widely, he became minister at New Machar in 1737. Inspired by David Hume's (1711-76) Treatise on Human Nature to deliver philosophy from scepticism, he went on to become Professor and Regent of King' College, Aberdeen (1752). Reid then succeeded Adam Smith (1723-90) as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow (1763). His most notable work was Inquiry into the Human Mind (1764).

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