Adam Ferguson, a Scottish philosopher and historian, born at Logierait, Perthshire, in 1724, died in St. Andrews, Feb. 22, 1816. He was educated in Perth and in the university of St. Andrews, and studied theology in Edinburgh, where he became associated with Robertson, Blair, and Home. In 1745, though he had stu- I died but half the required term, he was ordained, in consequence of having been selected for his knowledge of the Gaelic language to act as chaplain of one of the highland regiments, which he accompanied to Flanders, He remained in this situation till 1757, when he became conspicuous by his defence of the morality of stage plays, written upon occasion of the success of his friend Home's tragedy of "Douglas." In 1750 he was elected professor of natural philosophy in the university of Edinburgh, and in 1704 of moral philosophy. In 1778 he came to America as secretary of the commission appointed to negotiate with the revolted colonies, his place in the university being supplied during his year's absence by Dugald Stewart, who in 1785 became his successor. In his 70th year he paid a visit to the principal cities of the continent, and was elected a member of several learned societies. The last years of his life were passed in St. Andrews, where he observed a strictly Pythagorean diet.

His "History of the Progress and Termination of the Roman Republic" (1783) is valuable for its philosophical reflections, clearness of style, and masterly portraitures of character. His Essay on the History of Civil Society" (1767) discusses the origin, end, and form of government, affirms the natural sociability of men, in opposition to the hypothesis of Hobbes of their natural hostility, and defends civilization against the charges of Rousseau. His philosophical views are contained in his Institutes of Moral Philosophy (1769), and in his "Principles of Moral and Political Science (1792). He belongs by his general method to the school of Bacon, recommending everywhere experience and the study of facts as the condition of successful research.