Thomas Reid (humanist)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Reid (died 1624) was a Scottish humanist and philosopher who became Latin secretary to King James VI and I.
, and at Marischal College
and University, where he appears to have graduated M.A. about 1600. In 1602 he was appointed to a mastership in the grammar school, which he resigned in the following year on being chosen one of the regents in Marischal College.
After conducting a university class through the four years of their curriculum, he went to the continent, where he continued his studies, at first in France, and afterwards at the universities of Rostock
and Leipzig
. While at Rostock, where he was admitted a docent
in December 1608, he taught philosophy and humanities for several years; and carried out a disputation on metaphysical subjects with Henningus Arnisæus, then professor of medicine in the University of Frankfurt. He matriculated at Leipzig in the summer of 1613.
Returning to England, he associated with Patrick Young
in the translation into Latin of James I's English writings, and in 1618 was appointed Latin secretary to the king, an office which he retained until his death in 1624. In 1620 he was, with his brother Alexander, incorporated M.A. at Oxford.
He was also the founder of the first public reference library in Scotland. By his will he bequeathed to the town and new college of Aberdeen his collection of books, and six thousand merk
s to endow a librarian who would keep the library open four days a week. Reid's collection, which included editions of the classics and manuscripts, now forms a part of the library of the University of Aberdeen
; but his endowment was diminished under the management of the town council. From 1733 to 1737 the librarianship was held by Reid's kinsman and namesake, Thomas Reid
(1710–1796), the philosopher.
Life
He was second son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire, a cadet of the Pitfoddels family. Alexander Reid (1586?–1643) the surgeon was a younger brother. Thomas was educated at the grammar school, AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, and at Marischal College
Marischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
and University, where he appears to have graduated M.A. about 1600. In 1602 he was appointed to a mastership in the grammar school, which he resigned in the following year on being chosen one of the regents in Marischal College.
After conducting a university class through the four years of their curriculum, he went to the continent, where he continued his studies, at first in France, and afterwards at the universities of Rostock
Rostock
Rostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
and Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
. While at Rostock, where he was admitted a docent
Docent
Docent is a title at some European universities to denote a specific academic appointment within a set structure of academic ranks below professor . Docent is also used at some universities generically for a person who has the right to teach...
in December 1608, he taught philosophy and humanities for several years; and carried out a disputation on metaphysical subjects with Henningus Arnisæus, then professor of medicine in the University of Frankfurt. He matriculated at Leipzig in the summer of 1613.
Returning to England, he associated with Patrick Young
Patrick Young
Patrick Young was a Scottish scholar and royal librarian to King James VI and I, and King Charles I. He was a noted Biblical and patristic scholar.-Life:...
in the translation into Latin of James I's English writings, and in 1618 was appointed Latin secretary to the king, an office which he retained until his death in 1624. In 1620 he was, with his brother Alexander, incorporated M.A. at Oxford.
Works and legacy
Several of his poems appear in the Delitiæ Poetarum Scotorum (Amsterdam, 1637). Reid's major works are:- De Accidente Proprio Theoremata Philosophica, Rostock, 1609.
- Pervigilium Lunæ de Objecto Metaphysicæ, Rostock, 1609.
- De Ente, Rostock, 1610.
- De Proprietatibus Entis, Rostock, 1610.
- De Veritate et Bonitate Entis, Rostock, 1610.
- De Diversitate Entis, Rostock, 1610.
- De Objecto Metaphysicæ Dissertatio Elenctica, Rostock, 1610.
- Pervigilia Metaphysica Desideratissima, Rostock, 1616.
- Dissertatio quod regibus et licitum et decorum sit scribere in Thomas SmithThomas Smith (scholar)Thomas Smith was an English scholar, expelled Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and non-juring divine.-Early life and academic career:...
's Vitae quorundam eruditissimorum et illustrium virorum, London, 1707.
He was also the founder of the first public reference library in Scotland. By his will he bequeathed to the town and new college of Aberdeen his collection of books, and six thousand merk
Merk
A merk was a Scottish silver coin. Originally the same word as a mark of silver, the merk was in circulation at the end of the 16th century and in the 17th century. It was originally valued at 13s 4d , later raised to 14s Scots...
s to endow a librarian who would keep the library open four days a week. Reid's collection, which included editions of the classics and manuscripts, now forms a part of the library of the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
; but his endowment was diminished under the management of the town council. From 1733 to 1737 the librarianship was held by Reid's kinsman and namesake, 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...
(1710–1796), the philosopher.