Record

CollectionGB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections
LevelItem
Ref NoMS 30/2/31
Alt Ref NoMS 30 c.31
TitleThomas Blacklock to James Beattie from Edinburgh
Date30 April 1770
Extent1 Item
Administrative HistoryThomas Blacklock [1721-1791] Poet and writer. He was blind from smallpox at the age of 6 months, but in spite of his handicap he showed an early taste for poetry. He published his first volume of verse in 1746, and another in 1756. He became a Church of Scotland minister in 1759, but he later gave up and took pupils. He introduced himself to Beattie in 1765 by sending him a copy of his 1756 poems. For some time he was an important confidant and poetic adviser to Beattie. Beattie secured a honorary DD of Marischal College for him in 1767
DescriptionHe thanks Beattie for his letter [AUL 30/1/22]. Hears whole of Beattie's book printed, publication in Edinburgh to await arrival of copies in London. Hume said to have heard of it and expresses chagrin but will probably write no answer. A paper to be published here entitled The Trifler. Blacklock has contributed a few numbers including an attack on Hume's solutions to causes and effects. Some have expressed surprise that Blacklock should criticise Hume, but philosophers and their tenets are different things. But Blacklock does not think the papers will be published
Access StatusOpen
Add to My Items