Biography of Thomas Reid

Thomas Reid (1710-1796) was Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University from 1764 to 1781. He was elected Clerk of Senate in 1776.

Born in Kincardineshire, Reid became a minister and then Regent of Philosophy at King's College, Aberdeen. He was instrumental in the founding of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society and was a key figure in the "school of common sense philosophy" which flourished during the Scottish Enlightenment. His Enquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense was published in 1764, the year he succeeded Adam Smith as Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Glasgow.

Reid resigned in 1781 at the age of 71 to spend more time writing, and published another two major works of philosophy before his death. He also wrote the article on the University that was published in the Statistical Account of Scotland in 1799. He was chosen as the University's representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1767 and 1772 and served as Vice-Rector to Edmund Burke, 1784-1785.

Summary

Thomas Reid
Natural and Moral Philosopher
Born 26 April 1710, Scotland.
Died 7 October 1796.
University Link: Clerk of Senate, Professor
Occupation categories: moral philosophers
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P24027
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Record last updated: 9th Oct 2008

University Connections

University Roles

• Clerk of Senate, 1776-1777
• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Moral Philosophy

Honours

• Memorial Gate

Images

Thomas Reid