David Hume (jurist)
Encyclopedia
David Hume was a Scottish jurist, whose work on Scots criminal law and Scots private law has had a deep and continuing influence. He is referred to as Baron David Hume to distinguish him from his uncle, David Hume
the philosopher.
Hume was educated at the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He became an advocate in 1779, and in 1786 was appointed Professor of Scots law at the University of Edinburgh
, a post he retained until 1822, when he took up office as a Baron of Exchequer
. In 1785 he married Jane Alder. They had three sons and three daughters.
Hume’s writings on criminal law culminated in his Commentaries on the Law of Scotland Respecting Crimes (1819), a work that has continued to be cited in court into the 21st century. During his lifetime he never published his lectures on Scots private law, and indeed expressed the wish that they should not be published posthumously. But manuscript copies were widely circulated and were influential, sometimes being cited in court. Eventually they were published, in six volumes, between 1939 and 1958. The result was a revival of their influence, not least in the field of property law.
, Berwickshire, a son of John Hume (1709–1786) and his wife, Agnes nee Carre (1725–1785); he was a nephew of the philosopher David Hume.
From 1765 to 1767 he was enrolled as a pupil at Edinburgh high school and then studied at the University of Edinburgh where, in 1774, he studied Roman law. He matriculated as a law student at the University of Glasgow in 1775 where he remained until 1777 and lodged with Professor John Millar, "then the most celebrated law teacher in the British Isles." In 1777 and 1778 he was a registered student of Scots law in Edinburgh.
In 1793 he left the sheriffdom of Berwickshire for that of Linlithgowshire. In 1811 he was made a principal clerk of session and resigned his post as sheriff.
In 1822 Hume became Baron David Hume on his appointment as baron of the exchequer. When he resigned from his professorial post, the university awarded him the degree of LLD.
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...
the philosopher.
Hume was educated at the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He became an advocate in 1779, and in 1786 was appointed Professor of Scots law at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, a post he retained until 1822, when he took up office as a Baron of Exchequer
Court of Exchequer (Scotland)
The Court of Exchequer was formerly a distinct part of the court system in Scotland, with responsibility for administration of government revenue and judicial matters relating to customs and excise, revenue, stamp duty and probate...
. In 1785 he married Jane Alder. They had three sons and three daughters.
Hume’s writings on criminal law culminated in his Commentaries on the Law of Scotland Respecting Crimes (1819), a work that has continued to be cited in court into the 21st century. During his lifetime he never published his lectures on Scots private law, and indeed expressed the wish that they should not be published posthumously. But manuscript copies were widely circulated and were influential, sometimes being cited in court. Eventually they were published, in six volumes, between 1939 and 1958. The result was a revival of their influence, not least in the field of property law.
Early life and education
David Hume was baptised 27 February 1757 at ChirnsideChirnside
Chirnside is a hillside village in Berwickshire in Scotland, west of Berwick-upon-Tweed and east of Duns.-Notables:David Hume, the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, lived in Ninewells House, just south of the village...
, Berwickshire, a son of John Hume (1709–1786) and his wife, Agnes nee Carre (1725–1785); he was a nephew of the philosopher David Hume.
From 1765 to 1767 he was enrolled as a pupil at Edinburgh high school and then studied at the University of Edinburgh where, in 1774, he studied Roman law. He matriculated as a law student at the University of Glasgow in 1775 where he remained until 1777 and lodged with Professor John Millar, "then the most celebrated law teacher in the British Isles." In 1777 and 1778 he was a registered student of Scots law in Edinburgh.
Advocate, sheriff-depute, professor, baron
Hume was admitted as an advocate in 1779. In 1783 he was favoured with the appointment as part-time sheriff-depute of Berwickshire. In December 1786, he added to these the chair in Scots law in the University of Edinburgh.In 1793 he left the sheriffdom of Berwickshire for that of Linlithgowshire. In 1811 he was made a principal clerk of session and resigned his post as sheriff.
In 1822 Hume became Baron David Hume on his appointment as baron of the exchequer. When he resigned from his professorial post, the university awarded him the degree of LLD.