The Scottish Enlightenment

1730-1790
A Hotbed of Genius

The 18th century was an age when almost every aspect of mankind's existence - philosophy, economics, art, law, architecture, medicine, engineering - was studied and questioned.  It was also a time when Scotland's cities were "hotbeds of genius", and Scotsmen such as the philosopher David Hume, the economist Adam Smith, James Black the chemist and the geologist James Hutton developed their ideas and successfully challenged the beliefs of the past.

The introductory essay gives an overview of the Enlightenment, and is followed by individual studies of the great men of the time. In conclusion there is a section on Scotland's legacy to the world, and to America in particular.

GENERAL EDITOR: Professor David Diaches is one of Scotland's most eminent historians.  Educated at Edinburgh University and at Oxford, he has published over 40 books on literary criticism, history and biography, and holds honorary degrees from universities in Scotland, England, France, Italy, the USA and Canada.  In 1991 he was awarded the CBE for services to literature.

Some Press opinions

"A clear impression of the vitality of the Enlightenment"   (The Scotsman)

"Masterly ... covering everything from high intellectual attainment to the convivial social life which helped the literati to refine their sensibilities"    (Glasgow Herald)

"A work of intense scholarship"   (David Taylor, New Scientist)

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