John Alexander Stewart (philosopher)
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Stewart was a Scottish writer, educator and philosopher. He was a university professor and classical lecturer at Christ Church, Oxford
from 1875 to 1883, emeritus professor of moral philosophy at Oxford
and a professorial fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford
from 1897 to his retirement in 1927. Throughout his academic career, he was an editor and author of works on Aristotle
and considered one of the foremost experts on the subject. His best known books were Notes on the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (1892) and The Myths of Plato (1905).
, Dumfriesshire
on 19 October 1846, the son of Archibald Stewart. Educated at Edinburgh University and Lincoln College, Oxford
, he received the Newdigate Prize
for English verse in 1868; he recited the prize-winning poem, 'The Catacombs', in the Theatre
, Oxford, on 17 June that year. Stewart earned a BA in 1870 and an MA three years later. He was also elected Senior Student of Christ Church, a position he held from 1870 to 1875, prior to marrying Helen J. Macmillan. Following his graduation, he continued to teach at Christ Church and was a classical lecturer there until 1882, occasional tutor and philosophy lecturer until 1897.
Over the next decade, he gradually established a formidable reputation as an authority on the ethics of Aristotle
. Among his works were the 2-volume Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (1892) and The Myths of Plato (1905). He was also a contributor to the Encyclopædia Britannica
. In 1897, he was appointed White's professor of moral philosophy at Oxford
and Fellow of Corpus Christi College
. His wife Helen died in 1925 and Stewart resigned his position at the college two years later. Stewart died at Oxford on 27 December 1933.
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
from 1875 to 1883, emeritus professor of moral philosophy at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and a professorial fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom...
from 1897 to his retirement in 1927. Throughout his academic career, he was an editor and author of works on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
and considered one of the foremost experts on the subject. His best known books were Notes on the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (1892) and The Myths of Plato (1905).
Biography
John Alexander Stewart was born at MoffatMoffat
Moffat is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lying on the River Annan, with a population of around 2,500. The most notable building in the town is the Moffat House Hotel, designed by John Adam...
, Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
on 19 October 1846, the son of Archibald Stewart. Educated at Edinburgh University and Lincoln College, Oxford
Lincoln College, Oxford
Lincoln College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is situated on Turl Street in central Oxford, backing onto Brasenose College and adjacent to Exeter College...
, he received the Newdigate Prize
Newdigate prize
Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize is awarded to students of the University of Oxford for Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate who has been admitted to Oxford within the previous four years. It was founded by Sir Roger Newdigate, Bt in the 18th century...
for English verse in 1868; he recited the prize-winning poem, 'The Catacombs', in the Theatre
Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer...
, Oxford, on 17 June that year. Stewart earned a BA in 1870 and an MA three years later. He was also elected Senior Student of Christ Church, a position he held from 1870 to 1875, prior to marrying Helen J. Macmillan. Following his graduation, he continued to teach at Christ Church and was a classical lecturer there until 1882, occasional tutor and philosophy lecturer until 1897.
Over the next decade, he gradually established a formidable reputation as an authority on the ethics of Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
. Among his works were the 2-volume Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (1892) and The Myths of Plato (1905). He was also a contributor to the Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
. In 1897, he was appointed White's professor of moral philosophy at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and Fellow of Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College can refer to the following colleges:*Corpus Christi College, Cambridge*Corpus Christi College, Oxford*Corpus Christi College *Corpus Christi College, Melbourne...
. His wife Helen died in 1925 and Stewart resigned his position at the college two years later. Stewart died at Oxford on 27 December 1933.
Further reading
- Morelli, Mark D. At the Threshold of the Halfway House: A Study of Bernard Lonergan's Encounter with John Alexander Stewart. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: Lonergan Institute at Boston College, 2007. ISBN 0-9700862-5-3