Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume 1

In Short

This volume traces the early life and rising intellectual career of philosopher David Hume through a blend of narrative and original correspondence. It details his formative years, his early struggle with physical and mental strain brought on by relentless study, and the composition of his groundbreaking philosophical works. The narrative follows Hume as he navigates diverse roles—from tutoring an unstable nobleman and serving on a military expedition to France to traveling through continental Europe and managing the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh. Burton highlights Hume's stubborn independence, his frugal living, and his genial personality, demonstrating how a thinker once ignored by the literary establishment forged himself into one of the central intellectual figures of the Enlightenment.

The Story

The narrative opens by examining David Hume's early intellectual development and his insatiable appetite for learning. As a young man, Hume throws himself into intense study, an application so severe that it wears upon his physical constitution and brings on a period of deep exhaustion and low spirits. Seeking to understand the connection between mental strain and bodily health, he reflects on the physical organs required for intellectual work, noting how overapplication deadens the human system.

Driven by an ambitious desire to re-examine the foundations of human thought, Hume travels to France. Settling primarily at La Flêche, he spends three agreeable years composing his landmark work, the Treatise of Human Nature. Returning to England in 1737, he anticipates a warm reception for his ideas, but the initial public reception proves disappointing. Undeterred by the lack of immediate acclaim, Hume maintains a steadfast devotion to his studies and a quiet confidence in his eventual recognition.

Financial necessity and the pursuit of independence compel Hume to accept various practical employments. He takes on the troublesome post of companion and tutor to the young Marquis of Annandale, a nobleman suffering from severe mental instability. Hume endures the delicate and often taxing conditions of this household, which are further complicated by legal and financial disputes over his remuneration. Following this episode, he secures a position as secretary to General St. Clair, embarking on a military expedition to the coast of France. During this enterprise, Hume observes firsthand the strategic maneuverings of military landings near L'Orient, where British forces outwit French militia along the shore. His diplomatic and military travels subsequently take him through continental Europe, where he records vivid descriptions of cities such as Cologne, Bonn, and Coblentz, observing local governance, trade decay, and cultural differences along the Rhine.

Upon returning to Scotland, Hume settles into a life of deliberate frugality and intellectual independence. Writing to his friend Michael Ramsay from Ninewells, he outlines his modest financial state—content with fifty pounds a year, a small collection of books, and good clothes—and declares his intention to establish a home in Edinburgh alongside his sister. In Edinburgh, his literary fortunes begin to turn. He publishes his Political Discourses, which earn widespread praise for their original economic insights and accessible language.

Hume’s appointment as keeper of the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh marks a turning point in his career. Though the role is marred by minor controversies over the selection of certain French books deemed improper by the library faculty, the position grants him access to vast historical resources. He throws himself into writing his major historical work, describing the initial volume of his History to a friend as his "youngest and dearest child." Concurrently, Hume engages with the broader Scottish literary circle, extending generous support to struggling figures like the blind poet Thomas Blacklock and investigating the authenticity of James Macpherson's Highland poetic fragments. The volume concludes with Hume fully established as a formidable, generous, and central force within the Republic of Letters.

How It Unfolds

The strain of early ambition Hume immerses himself in rigorous early studies, pushing his mind to its limits and experiencing severe physical exhaustion. He reflects deeply on the physical organs of the intellect and the physical tolls exacted by sedentary reflection.

Retreat and creation in France Seeking a quiet environment to synthesize his system, Hume moves to Rheims and La Flêche. There, he spends three productive years drafting his foundational work, the Treatise of Human Nature.

Service to an unstable lord Faced with limited income, Hume accepts a position overseeing the household of the mentally ill Marquis of Annandale. He endures a difficult period filled with domestic strain and ensuing legal disputes over his salary.

The French expedition Joining General St. Clair's military staff, Hume witnesses coastal warfare firsthand near L'Orient. He notes the tactical decoying of French troops as British forces secure a landing site.

Observations along the Rhine Traveling through Europe on official business, Hume writes detailed descriptions of continental cities. He contrasts the magnificent, peaceful court at Bonn with the melancholy, decaying streets of Cologne.

Establishing independence in Edinburgh Deciding to live modestly on a tight budget, Hume sets up house in Edinburgh with his sister. He publishes his Political Discourses, establishing his reputation as an original thinker in political economy.

The Advocates' Library and the History Securing the librarianship at the Advocates' Library, Hume uses its rich collection to draft his major historical narrative. He navigates faculty disputes over library acquisitions while managing the enthusiastic reception and debates surrounding his new book.

The People

• David Hume: The central figure, a philosopher and historian driven by an intense love of study and a fierce desire for financial independence. He endures early literary obscurity, health struggles, and awkward employments, yet maintains a genial, generous, and unpedantic disposition throughout his rise to fame.
• The Marquis of Annandale: A wealthy young Scottish nobleman whose advancing mental illness requires constant oversight. His unpredictable behavior and the complex management of his estate create a stressful and contentious environment for Hume.
• General St. Clair: A British military commander who employs Hume as his secretary during the 1746 military expedition to the coast of France and subsequent diplomatic missions, providing Hume with practical exposure to military affairs and European court life.
• Thomas Blacklock: A blind Scottish poet whose poverty and talent move Hume to action. Hume tirelessly solicits subscriptions, distributes copies, and seeks employment for Blacklock to grant him financial independence.
• Michael Ramsay: A long-standing, trusted friend to whom Hume confides his private circumstances, detailed financial breakdowns, personal philosophy on contentment, and plans for living in Edinburgh.
• James Macpherson: A young literary figure whose collection of Highland poetic fragments sparks massive intellectual debate. Hume initially aids him by raising funds for a mission into the Highlands to collect ancient epic verses.

In Its Own Voice

"The observation of human blindness and weakness is the result of all philosophy, and meets us at every turn, in spite of our endeavours to elude or avoid it."

Hume reflects on the ultimate limitation of human intellect, acknowledging that philosophical inquiry inevitably exposes the fragility of human reason.

"While interest remains as at present, I have £50 a-year, a hundred pounds worth of books, great store of linens and fine clothes, and near £100 in my pocket; along with order, frugality, a strong spirit of independency, good health, a contented humour, and an unabating love of study."

Writing to his friend Michael Ramsay, Hume details his modest material assets and the cheerful, frugal mindset that secures his personal freedom.

"As I send you a long book, you will allow me to write a short letter, with this fruit of near two years' very constant application, my youngest and dearest child."

Hume introduces his newly finished volume of history to a close correspondent, expressing his deep personal attachment to the labor of his historical writing.

What It's Really About

The book examines the relationship between personal independence, intellectual labor, and the development of modern thought. Burton frames Hume's life not merely as a series of abstract publication dates, but as a practical struggle to maintain moral and financial autonomy in an eighteenth-century world dominated by patronage and precarious literary markets.

Beneath the narrative lies an inquiry into the limits of human reason and the psychology of belief. Through Hume’s private notes, military journals, and correspondence, the book reveals how empirical observation shaped his philosophical stance. Hume continually tests theoretical ideas against real-world observations—whether studying the decay of trade in European cities, the mechanics of tax collection in ancient Rome, or the psychological consolations of religious faith in grieving individuals. Ultimately, the work illustrates how a quiet, disciplined commitment to candid inquiry can challenge established dogmas and reshape the intellectual landscape of an era.

Why Read It Today

This volume offers an intimate, unvarnished portrait of one of Western philosophy's most influential figures as he actively builds his life and thought. Readers interested in the Scottish Enlightenment, intellectual biography, and eighteenth-century European history will find it a compelling resource. Burton avoids idealizing his subject, presenting Hume complete with his practical anxieties, fiscal calculations, and awkward professional duties.

The reading experience balances scholarly detail with the immediacy of original letters and diary entries. The prose alternates between Burton's meticulous nineteenth-century commentary and Hume’s own clear, witty, and direct phrasing. Readers must navigate historical conventions, such as archaic spelling variations, extensive footnotes, and detailed accounts of forgotten eighteenth-century legal and academic squabbles. However, these period details enrich the narrative, providing an authentic sense of the social structures of the time. What remains with the reader is the striking portrait of Hume's character: a thinker who combined radical skepticism with a warm, contented, and deeply benevolent personal life.