Glasgow Literary Society
Encyclopedia
The Glasgow Literary Society (GLS) was founded in 1753, as a forum for intellectual discussions and debates. It met every Thursday from November to May. It was associated with the University of Glasgow
and with the Glasgow tobacco lords.
Along with the University, the Foulis press and the Foulis Academy, the Literary Society was a key institution of the Enlightenment
in Glasgow.
Over time the Society developed an orientation towards scientific and technological topics, and shortly after 1800 it became the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow, with great input from the staff of Anderson's Institution.
The last recorded references to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow were 2 pamphlets published by Thomas Atkinson in 1831, and the Society is thought to have dissolved shortly after that date.
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...
and with the Glasgow tobacco lords.
Along with the University, the Foulis press and the Foulis Academy, the Literary Society was a key institution of the Enlightenment
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...
in Glasgow.
Over time the Society developed an orientation towards scientific and technological topics, and shortly after 1800 it became the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow, with great input from the staff of Anderson's Institution.
The last recorded references to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow were 2 pamphlets published by Thomas Atkinson in 1831, and the Society is thought to have dissolved shortly after that date.
Notable members
- John Anderson
- Archibald ArthurArchibald ArthurArchibald Arthur FRSE was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher. He served as chaplain, librarian and joint professor of moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow from 1780-95, and as the university's professor of moral philosophy from 1795-7.-Biography:He was the eldest son of Andrew Arthur,...
- Joseph BlackJoseph BlackJoseph Black FRSE FRCPE FPSG was a Scottish physician and chemist, known for his discoveries of latent heat, specific heat, and carbon dioxide. He was professor of Medicine at University of Glasgow . James Watt, who was appointed as philosophical instrument maker at the same university...
- Thomas ChalmersThomas ChalmersThomas Chalmers , Scottish mathematician, political economist, divine and a leader of the Free Church of Scotland, was born at Anstruther in Fife.-Overview:...
- William CullenWilliam CullenWilliam Cullen FRS FRSE FRCPE FPSG was a Scottish physician, chemist and agriculturalist, and one of the most important professors at the Edinburgh Medical School, during its heyday as the leading center of medical education in the English-speaking world.Cullen was also a central figure in the...
- David HumeDavid HumeDavid 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...
- William Meikleham
- John Millar
- George Muirhead
- James Mylne
- Robert OwenRobert OwenRobert Owen was a Welsh social reformer and one of the founders of utopian socialism and the cooperative movement.Owen's philosophy was based on three intellectual pillars:...
- Thomas ReidThomas ReidThe 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...
- William Richardson
- John RobisonJohn Robison (physicist)John Robison FRSE was a Scottish physicist and mathematician. He was a professor of philosophy at the University of Edinburgh....
- Adam SmithAdam SmithAdam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
(a founding member) - Andrew UreAndrew UreAndrew Ure was a Scottish doctor, scholar and chemist.-Biography:Andrew Ure was born in Glasgow, the son of Alexander Ure, a cheesemonger and his wife, Anne. He received an M.D. from Glasgow University in 1801, and served briefly as an army surgeon before settling in Glasgow, where he became a...
- James WattJames WattJames Watt, FRS, FRSE was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both his native Great Britain and the rest of the world.While working as an instrument maker at the...
- Alexander Wilson
- Patrick Wilson