The University of Edinburgh created a permanent professorship in Rhetoric and Belles Lettres in 1762 to accommodate the popular public lectures of Hugh Blair. A central figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, he bridged the gap between theological scholarship and secular discourse, exerting profound influence on the development of composition theory and practical moral philosophy within the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Early Education and Ecclesiastical Career
Born in Edinburgh in 1718, Blair attended the Royal High School and subsequently the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with an M.A. at twenty-one. His early focus on moral philosophy and natural law, articulated in his 1739 thesis, preceded his licensing as a Presbyterian preacher in 1741. He served various parishes, including the Canongate Kirk and Lady Yester's Kirk, before assuming the second charge of the High Kirk of St Giles in 1758. This post, held alongside his friend Robert Walker, represented one of the most significant clerical offices in Scotland.
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Take the IQ test →Contributions to Rhetoric and Education
Blair received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the University of St Andrews in 1757. Two years later, he initiated a series of lectures on literature and rhetoric at the University of Edinburgh. Initially funded directly by students, the success of these sessions prompted the university to establish a formal chair in 1762, ratified by King George III. Blair occupied this role until his retirement in 1783, after which he compiled his insights into the multi-volume Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres.
Literary Projects and Social Circle
Throughout his career, Blair engaged extensively with the intellectual climate of his era. He published a five-volume collection of his addresses, titled Sermons, and authored the 1763 work A Critical Dissertation on the Poems of Ossian. His broader output included an anonymous eight-volume edition of the works of Shakespeare and various reviews regarding moral philosophy. As a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which he helped found in 1783, he maintained social and professional ties with figures such as Adam Smith, David Hume, and Lord Kames.
Final Years and Legacy
Blair resided for many years at Argyle Square in Edinburgh's Old Town. Following his death in December 1800 at the age of 82, he was interred in Greyfriars Kirkyard. A memorial was subsequently placed on the south-west section of the kirk to honor his contributions. His legacy persisted through his extensive writings on discourse and morality, which remained central to the academic curriculum long after he vacated his university position.
Fast facts
- Born: 1718, Edinburgh
- Died: 1800, Edinburgh
- Occupation: Writer, preacher, theologian, and philosopher
- Education: University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews
- Religious Affiliation: Presbyterianism
- Key Academic Role: Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres
- Institutional Membership: Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Burial Site: Greyfriars Kirkyard
Questions readers ask
What were Hugh Blair's primary professional roles?
He served as a minister for the Church of Scotland, a university teacher, a publisher, and a literary critic.
Where did Blair spend his academic career?
He spent his career in Edinburgh, primarily teaching at the University of Edinburgh.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Edinburgh
