| Administrative History | Thomas 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 |
| Description | His depression and difficulties over losing his amanuensis. Did not show Beattie's letter to Dr Blackburn [AUL MS 30/1/191], partly because he hoped for more information about Mr Hollis's donation to the college, but also because Beattie's letter revealed Blacklock as author of the strictures on Priestley, whom Blacklock admires. Discusses these articles in Edimburgh Magazine and Review, and mentions something he has differed from Beattie over. Because Edinburgh Magazine and Review is not widely read in England, is considering putting the articles on Priestley in a pamphelet or volume |