Archibald Arthur
Encyclopedia
Archibald Arthur FRSE (6 September 1744 – 14 June 1797) was a Scottish Enlightenment
philosopher. He served as chaplain
, librarian and joint professor of moral philosophy (with Thomas Reid
) at the University of Glasgow
from 1780-95, and as the university's professor of moral philosophy from 1795-7.
6 September 1744. He entered the University of Glasgow in his thirteenth or fourteenth year, and in due course took his degree of M.A. Both before and after his appointment to a professorship he lectured with success in logic, botany, humanity, and church history. In October 1767, he received from the presbytery of Paisley
his preacher's license, not, however, without some opposition on the ground of want of orthodoxy in the doctrines of the Church of Scotland
. He was soon afterwards appointed chaplain to the University of Glasgow, and assistant minister with Dr. Craig of that city. He was also chosen librarian to the University, and held the office until nearly the close of his life.
For some years he was usefully employed in compiling a complete catalogue of the books, arranged in two parts, one under an alphabet of authors, and the other according to the position of the volumes on the shelves. The catalogue was printed in 1791, and described 20,000 volumes. It gave much satisfaction. Arthur was appointed assistant professor in moral philosophy through the influence of Dr. Thomas Reid
, who was obliged to give up his full professorial duties on account of increasing years. This took place in May 1780, and Arthur taught the class for fifteen years in return for part of the salary. On the death of Reid, he was elected full professor, but held the office only for one session, dying on 14 June 1797. He never married, and died worth a considerable sum of money, which he left to his brothers and sisters. They devoted part of it to the publication of his posthumous "Discourses on Theological and Literary Subjects", which were edited, with a pompous memoir, by his friend William Richardson
. The theological discourses include one on the argument for the existence of God, another on the goodness of God, and others on objections to David Hume
, and similar topics; among the literary discourses are two upon theories of beauty, one on the arrangement of ancient and modern languages, and others on the study of ancient languages as a necessary branch of liberal education. They are fairly well written and well reasoned essays. Arthur had a shy and hesitating manner, but possessed liberal opinions to which he always had the courage to hold firm. A. F. Tytler, in a note upon a letter of Dr. Reid, remarks: "Mr. Arthur, a man of learning, abilities, and worth, filled the chair of moral philosophy … with a reputation which did not disappoint the hopes of his respectable predecessor". The Discourses "give a very favourable idea of his talents, the justness of his taste, and the rectitude of his moral and religious principles".
Scottish Enlightenment
The Scottish Enlightenment was the period in 18th century Scotland characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. By 1750, Scots were among the most literate citizens of Europe, with an estimated 75% level of literacy...
philosopher. He served as chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
, librarian and joint professor of moral philosophy (with Thomas Reid
Thomas Reid
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE , was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense, and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment...
) at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
from 1780-95, and as the university's professor of moral philosophy from 1795-7.
Biography
He was the eldest son of Andrew Arthur, a considerable farmer, and was born at Abbot's Inch, in RenfrewshireRenfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
6 September 1744. He entered the University of Glasgow in his thirteenth or fourteenth year, and in due course took his degree of M.A. Both before and after his appointment to a professorship he lectured with success in logic, botany, humanity, and church history. In October 1767, he received from the presbytery of Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
his preacher's license, not, however, without some opposition on the ground of want of orthodoxy in the doctrines of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
. He was soon afterwards appointed chaplain to the University of Glasgow, and assistant minister with Dr. Craig of that city. He was also chosen librarian to the University, and held the office until nearly the close of his life.
For some years he was usefully employed in compiling a complete catalogue of the books, arranged in two parts, one under an alphabet of authors, and the other according to the position of the volumes on the shelves. The catalogue was printed in 1791, and described 20,000 volumes. It gave much satisfaction. Arthur was appointed assistant professor in moral philosophy through the influence of Dr. Thomas Reid
Thomas Reid
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE , was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense, and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment...
, who was obliged to give up his full professorial duties on account of increasing years. This took place in May 1780, and Arthur taught the class for fifteen years in return for part of the salary. On the death of Reid, he was elected full professor, but held the office only for one session, dying on 14 June 1797. He never married, and died worth a considerable sum of money, which he left to his brothers and sisters. They devoted part of it to the publication of his posthumous "Discourses on Theological and Literary Subjects", which were edited, with a pompous memoir, by his friend William Richardson
William Richardson
-Irish politicians:*William Richardson , MP for Armagh and Hillsborough*William Richardson , MP for Augher*William Richardson , MP for Armagh*William Richardson , MP for Armagh...
. The theological discourses include one on the argument for the existence of God, another on the goodness of God, and others on objections to David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
, and similar topics; among the literary discourses are two upon theories of beauty, one on the arrangement of ancient and modern languages, and others on the study of ancient languages as a necessary branch of liberal education. They are fairly well written and well reasoned essays. Arthur had a shy and hesitating manner, but possessed liberal opinions to which he always had the courage to hold firm. A. F. Tytler, in a note upon a letter of Dr. Reid, remarks: "Mr. Arthur, a man of learning, abilities, and worth, filled the chair of moral philosophy … with a reputation which did not disappoint the hopes of his respectable predecessor". The Discourses "give a very favourable idea of his talents, the justness of his taste, and the rectitude of his moral and religious principles".
Works
His works are:- Catalogus impressorum Librorum in Bibliotheca Universitatis Glasguensis, secundum literarum ordinem dispositus. Impensis Academiæ, labore et studio A. Arthur, Glasguæ, 1791, 2 vols, folio.,
- Discourses on Theological and Literary Subjects, by the late Rev. A. Arthur, with an account of some particulars in his life and character, by William Richardson, M.A., Professor of Humanity in the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Univ. Press, 1803, 8vo.