Adam Ferguson's Later Writings: New Letters and an Essay on the French Revolution

A new book by Adam Ferguson includes 36 unpublished letters and an essay on the French Revolution. It sheds light on major areas of study, such as the East India Company, the Regency Crisis, Scottish reactions to the French Revolution, and contemporary perceptions of Adam Smith's Political Economy. The letters provide insight into Ferguson's ideas and intellectual milieu, and a critical essay helps scholars understand him better. The book is based on a recent acquisition at the British Library.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

A meticulously curated and revised anthology of fresh correspondence and an essay penned by the philosopher Adam Ferguson. This collection includes 36 previously unpublished letters and a previously unseen essay, which have been contextualized within Ferguson's extensive body of work. It serves as a valuable tool in bridging significant gaps in Ferguson's biography, offering fresh perspectives on key areas of study, including the East India Company, the Regency Crisis, Scottish responses to the French Revolution, and contemporary interpretations of Adam Smith's Political Economy, among others. Furthermore, this volume sheds light on the political influence exerted by the Moderates of the Scottish Enlightenment, such as Ferguson, Hugh Blair (1718-1800), and Alexander Carlyle (1722-1805), during the late 1790s on British foreign policy.

Published for the first time, these previously unseen letters and the new essay on the French Revolution provide a wealth of insights into Ferguson's life, ideas, and intellectual milieu. Situated in a recent acquisition at the British Library, these letters offer a profound understanding of Ferguson's philosophical, historical, and political perspectives, spanning from 1784 to 1815. They enrich our knowledge of the late Scottish Enlightenment and contribute significantly to our appreciation of this influential period in intellectual history.

Weight: 538g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474480215