| Administrative History | David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes [1726-1796] Lawyer and historian, living at Newhailes, near Edinburgh. Enthusiastic supporter of Beattie and his writings, especially the Essay on Truth. Tried unsuccesfully in 1774 to persuade Beattie to be a candidate for the Chair of Moral Philosophy in Edinburgh
John Gregory [1724-1773] One of a dynasty of professors of medicine at Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He succeded his brother in the chair of medicine at King's College in 1755. He was a close friend and mentor of Beattie. In 1752 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William, Lord Forbes. In 1764 Gregory moved to a more lucrative chair and practice in Edinburgh, but he and Beattie remained intimate friends |