250th Anniversary of the Death of David Hume

That the Parliament marks the 250th anniversary of the death of David Hume, who died in Edinburgh on 25 August 1776; recognises Hume as one of Scotland’s most influential philosophers and historians and a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment; notes that he was born in Edinburgh in 1711 to a family with roots in Berwickshire, was educated by his mother following the death of his father when he was three years old, and entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 11, where he studied Latin and Greek and developed a lifelong interest in history, literature and philosophy; further notes that, while living in France in the 1730s, he wrote A Treatise of Human Nature, which is now regarded as one of the most important works in Western philosophy; acknowledges that his writings on human nature, empiricism and scepticism helped shape modern philosophical thought and continue to influence fields including history, economics, political science and cognitive science; recognises his contribution to Edinburgh’s reputation as a centre of learning through his service as Keeper of the Advocates’ Library and his wider literary and scholarly achievements; considers that his intellectual contributions played a significant role in the development of Enlightenment thought in Scotland and beyond; understands that awareness of Hume’s life and work among the Scottish public remains fairly limited despite his international standing, and encourages renewed efforts to promote understanding of his legacy and of Scotland’s pivotal role in the Enlightenment.