Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division
The poet, essayist and moral philosopher, James Beattie, was born in Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, on 25 October 1735. He studied at Marischal College, Aberdeen, studying Greek and taking the degree of M.A. in 1753. After graduation he took up the post of schoolmaster and parish clerk at Fordoun, near Laurencekirk, and began writing and contributing to the
The papers in the collection include: lectures on moral philosophy at Marischal College, 1777-1778, at Dc.64-65; observations on logic, at Dk.3.2, pp.201-209; principles of natural religion, 1778, at Dc.2.63; a view of the practical part of the moral philosophy of the Stoics, 1778, at Dc.8.28; a volume of poems including
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.
The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Stephen, Leslie. and Lee, Sidney (eds.).
Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.
The local Indexes show other references to Beattie related material in the Laing Collection (check the Indexes for more details): letter to a bookseller in Edinburgh, 1783, at La.II.589; salary receipt, 1767-1768, at La.II.152; recommendation, 1771, at La.II.588; and, Latin epitaphs at La.II.417. In addition, the UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: correspondence and biographical papers, 1761-1802, at the National Library of Scotland, Manuscripts Division, Ref. Acc 4796 NRA 29136, and letters to Aaron Lithgow, 1758-1767, Ref. MS.2543 ff.1-13; correspondence and papers, Aberdeen University, Special Libraries and Archives , Ref. MS 30; and, letters (12), 1774-1792, at the Huntington Library.