Dugald Stewart (1753-1828)

Philosopher

Dugald Stewart was educated at the Royal High School and Edinburgh University, where he was tutored by Adam Ferguson (1723-1816). He briefly continued his studies at Glasgow University, where he attended the classes of Thomas Reid, whose 'Common Sense' philosophical thought had a great influence on him. In 1775 he succeeded to his father's professorship of mathematics at Edinburgh University. Ten years later he succeeded his former tutor as Professor of Moral Philosophy. His publications include 'Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind' (three volumes) and 'Outlines of Moral Philosophy'. His monument, built in 1831 and designed by William Henry Playfair, is one of the largest on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Birth in 1753

Dugald Stewart was born on 22 November 1753, the son of Matthew Stewart, Professor of Mathematics in the College of Edinburgh, and Marjorie Stewart. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Edinburgh gives his name as Dougal and the date of baptism by one of the ministers of the West Kirk as 1 December 1753. The four witnesses were a professor of Greek, a professor of Hebrew, a bookseller and a merchant.

Baptism entry for Dugald Stewart in the OPR for Edinburgh (55 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 685-1/28, page 96

Marriage in 1783 and 1790

Dugald Stewart, Professor of Mathematics, Lady Yester's parish married Helen Bannatyne, daughter of the late Neal Bannatyne, merchant of Glasgow on 4 November 1783. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Edinburgh gives her surname as Bannantine. She died in 1787.

Marriage entry for Dugald Stewart in the OPR for Edinburgh (16 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 685-1/51, page 212

Dugald Stewart of Catrine, Professor of Moral Philosophy, married Helen Darcy Cranston, daughter of the late Honourable George Cranston and resident of Canongate parish. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Canongate is dated 26 July 1790.

Marriage entry for Dugald Stewart in the OPR for Canongate (134 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 685-3/16

Death in 1828

Dugald Stewart, formerly Professor of Moral Philosophy in the College of Edinburgh died on 11 June 1828. The entry in the Old Parish Register for Canongate gives his age at death as 75 but no place or cause of death is recorded.

Burial entry for Dugald Stewart in the OPR for Canongate (5 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 685-3/36, pages 162-162A

Testament of Dugald Stewart

National Records of Scotland, CC8/8/152 pp 195-196

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