Ferguson Adam

Ferguson, Adam (1724-1816), a Scottish historian and political writer, was born in Scotland, and educated at Perth and St. Andrews, whence he proceeded to Edinburgh to study for the ministry. He was for a time chaplain in the Black Watch, but, returning to Edinburgh after the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, he became Keeper of the Advocates' Library in 1757. In 1759 he was appointed to the Professorship of Natural History, and in 1764 to that of Moral Philosophy. In 1774 he went with the Earl of Chesterfield on his travels. In 1778 he was secretary of a commission sent to America to try and arrange matters with the colonies. The next year he came back and resumed his duties until 1784, when he resigned, and spent the rest of his time in travel and retirement. Among his works are an Essay on Civil Society, Institutes of Moral Philosophy, a History of the Roman Republic, and two volumes of Lectures.