Category: Timeline: Natural Law in Scotland

date	Publication, Appointment, Lecture, or Other Event
1751	Thomas Reid, regent at Aberdeen (-1764)
1751	Adam Smith uses Hutcheson’s Philosophiae moralis institution compendaria, ethicis & jursiprudentiae naturalis elementa continuen while covering for the ill Thomas Craigie
1751	Henry Home, ‘Of the foundations and principles of the law of nature’ in Essays on the principles of morality and natural religion (Essay changes title in 3rd edn to ‘Foundation and principles of morality’)
1751	Andrew MacDowell (later Lord Bankton), An institute of the laws of Scotland in civil rights: with observations upon the agreement or diversity between them and the laws of England. In four books (Edinburgh)
1751	Hugo Grotius, Samuel Clark, and John Locke, Synopsis compendiaria librorum Hugonis Grotii de jure belli et pacis: Samuelis Clarkii de dei existentiâ et attributis, et Joannis Lockii de intellectu humano (Cambridge, Oxford, London, Edinburgh)
1752	Adam Smith, professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow (-1764)
1752	J J Burlamaqui, The principles of politic law: being a sequel to The principles of natural law, tr Mr Nugent (London)
1753	Francis Hutcheson, A short introduction to moral philosophy, in three books: containing the elements of ethicks and the law of nature (2nd edn, Glasgow)
1754	David Fordyce, Elements of moral philosophy (London); based on his ethics lectures
1754	Thomas Rutherforth, Institutes of natural law: being the substance of a course of lectures on Grotius de Jure belli et pacis (Cambridge)
1755	Francis Hutcheson, A system of moral philosophy (Glasgow)
1756	Johann Gottlieb Heineccius, Johann Gottlieb Heineccius, Jo. Gotl. Heineccii, jurisconsulti et antecessoris, elementa philosophiae rationalis, ex principiis admodum evidentibus justo ordine adornata. Praemissa est historia philosophica (Edinburgi: apud G. Hamilton & J. Balfour Academiae Typographos)
1758	David Hume proposes Adam Smith as Regius Professor at Edinburgh but nothing comes of it; Adam Ferguson proposed but nothing comes of it (Cairns, ‘First’*)
1759	Adam Smith, The theory of moral sentiments (London and Edinburgh)
1759	Robert Bruce, Regius Professor at Edinburgh (-1764); Advertises ‘Course of Lectures upon GROTIUS DE JURE BELLI AC PACIS’
1760	Hugonis Grotii de jure belli ac pacis librorum III compendium in usum studiosae juventutis Academiae Edinensis (Edinburgh)
1760	Faculty of Advocates recommends attendance at courses in natural law for candidates
1760	James Beattie, Professor of moral philosophy and logic at Marishal College (-1797)
1761	John Millar, Regius professor of civil law at Glasgow (-1801)
1762	Candidates for admission to the Faculty of Advocates to be examined ‘upon the Law of Nature & Nations’
1764	James Balfour, Regius Professor at Edinburgh (-1779); advertised classes but not successful as a treacher – rising competition John Millar at from Glasgow Law School
1764	Thomas Reid, professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow (-1780)
1765	Glasgow: ‘Millar turned the second of the annual courses on the Institutes into a presentation of natural jurisprudence modelled on the theory of his mentor, Adam Smith’ (Cairns, ‘First’*); recommended Cocceji and Heineccius
1766	Adam Ferguson, Analysis of pneumatics and moral philosophy (Edinburgh)
1769	Adam Ferguson, Institutes of Moral Philosophy for the Use of Students in the College of Edinburgh (Edinburgh)
1773	John Erskine, An institute of the law of Scotland. In four books. In the order of Sir George Mackenzie’s Institutions of that law (Edinburgh)
1779	Allan Maconochie, Regius Professor at Edinburgh (-1796); change in natural law from Grotian rationalism to exploration of human nature (Cairns, ‘First’*)
1780	Allan Maconochie, Mr [sic] Maconochie advocate, professor of public law, proposes to open his class next winter. The intended course will treat of the history and principles of universal and political law, according to the following arrangement (Edinburgh)
1780	Archibald Arthur, professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow (-1797); lectures on natural jurisprudence
1786	John Bruce, Elements of the science of ethics, on the principles of natural philosophy (London; Edinburgh)
1788	Thomas Reid, ‘Of systems of natural jurisprudence’ in Essays on the active powers of man (Edinburgh), pp. 387-94
1790	William Laurence Brown (1755-1830) professor of natural law at Utrecht
1790	James Beattie, Elements of Moral Science (London) [natural law does not feature much]
1790s	Francis Horner studies natural law texts as a student
1792	Adam Ferguson, Principles of moral and political science (Edinburgh)
1792	William Druthin, ‘On a course of reading’ in The Bee (ed. James Anderson), vol. 8, p. 128: ‘Natural law, and moral philosophy – Paley’s principles of moral and political philosophy; or Berlamaqui’s natural and political law, (translated by Nugent,) or Rutherford’s institutes of natural and political law.’ (Edinburgh)
1793	Dugald Stewart, Outlines of Moral Philosophy for the Use of Students in the University of Edinburgh
1793	William Laurence Brown, An essay on the natural equality of men; on the rights that result from it, and on the duties which it imposes: To which a Silver Medal was adjudged by the Teylerian Society at Haarlem, April 1792. Corrected and enlarged. By William Lawrence Brown, D. D. Professor Of Moral Philosophy, And The Law Of Nature, And Of Ecclesiastical History; And Minister Of The English Church At Utrecht (Edinburgh)
1796	Robert Hamilton, Regius Professor at Edinburgh (-1831) but may not have ever taught
1797	Robert Heron, Abstract of a course of lectures on law, natural and positive (Edinburgh)
1799	James Mackintosh, A discourse on the study of the law of nature and nations (London; repr. Edinburgh, 1835)
1799	Helvétius, The true meaning of the system of nature: translated from the French (Glasgow)

*For references, see the Site Bibliography.

Date	Publication, Appointment, Lecture, or Other Event
1625	Grotius, Du jure delli ac pacis
1646	James Dalrymple, Theses logicæ, metaphysicæ, physicæ, mathematicæ, et ethicae· Quas adolescentes hac vice ex collegio Glasguensi cum laurea emittendi sun theō publice propugnabunt, ad diem [blank] Julii, anno Domini, 1646. In communi gymnasii auditorio hora solita. Præside Jacobo Darimplio (Glasgow)
1672	Samuel Pufendorf, De officio hominis et civis
1672	Richard Cumberland, De legibus naturae
1673	Regent Henry Scougal cites Cumberland in Aberdeen graduation theses [Haakonssen, ‘Natural’ 262*]
1678	George Mackenzie, The laws and customes of Scotland, in matters criminal; Wherein is to be seen how the civil law, and the laws and customs of other nations do agree with, and supply ours (Edinburgh: [printed by three different printers])
1681	James Dalrymple, The institutions of the lavv of Scotland, deduced from its originals, and collated vvith the civil, canon, and feudal-lavvs [sic]; and vvith[sic] the customs of neighbouring nations. The first part. By Sir James Dalrymple of Stair, President of the Session (Edinburgh: Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, printer to His most Sacred Majesty)
1689	The proceedings of the present Parliament justified, by the opinion of the most judicious and learned Hugo Grotius: with considerations thereupon. Written for the satisfaction of some of the reverend clergy, who yet seem to labour under some scruples concerning the original right of kings, their abdication of empire, and the peoples inseparable right of resistance, deposing, and of disposing and settling of the succession to the crown. By a Lover of the peace of his country. With allowance (Edinburgh and London)
1693	James Dalrymple, The institutions of the lavv [sic] of Scotland, deduced from its originals, and collated with the civil, canon and feudal laws, and with the customs of neighbouring nations. In IV. books, 2nd edn (Edinburgh: printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, printer to their most excellent Majesties)
1690s	William Scott, regent at Edinburgh, may have offered a private class on Grotius [Cairns, ‘First’*]; John Loudoun, regent at Glasgow uses Pufendorf for his ethics class (Haakonssen, ‘Natural’ 261*)
1699	George Mackenzie, The laws and customs of Scotland, in matters criminal. Wherein is to be seen how the civil law, and the laws and customs of other nations doth agree with, and supply ours. By Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh. To this second edition is now added (by way of appendix) A treatise of mutilation and demembration and their punishments, by Sir Alexander Seton of Pitmedden Knight Baronet; also a second edition of the observations upon the 18 act. Parl. 23. K. James Sixth. Against dispositions made in defraud of creditors, &c. Corrected, and in several paragraphs much enlarged by the author, the same Sir George Mackenzie himself, before his death (Edinburgh: printed by the heirs and successors of Andrew Anderson, printer to the King’s most Excellent Majesty, for Mr. Andrew Symson, and are to be sold by him, in the Cowgate, near the foot of the Horse-wynd)

*For references, see the Site Bibliography.

Date	Publication, Appointment, Lecture, or Other Event
1803	Archibald Arthur, Discourses on theological and literary subjects
1814	Dugald Stewart, Dissertation exhibiting the progress of metaphysical, ethical, and political philosophy since the revival of letters in Europe in Collected works, vol 1 (Edinburgh, 1854)
1814	William Paley, The principles of moral and political philosophy (Edinburgh) [orig. London 1785]
1820s	‘Common sense’ philosophy of Reid and Stewart dominates in Scottish universities (Cairns, ‘First’*)
1822	Johann Gottlieb Heineccius, Elementa juris civilis secundum ordinem Institutionum, commoda auditoribvs methodo adornata : nunc ab emblematibus liberata, integritati suæ restituta, notis passim adspersis emendata, correcta, suppleta (Edinburgi: sumptibus Bell et Bradfute et G. Stewart)
1823	Francis Bacon, Exemplum tractatus de fontibus juris, and other Latin pieces of Lord Bacon translated by James Glassford (Edinburgh)
1830	Report of the Royal Commissions into the Scottish Universities of 1826 and 1830 ‘roundly condemned the chair of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations’ at Edinburgh as unsuccessful, impracticable, untaught – a ‘complete failure’ (this is debateable)
1831	Regius Professorship at Edinburgh not filled at death of Robert Hamilton
1835	James Mackintosh, A discourse on the study of the law of nature and nations (Edinburgh) [previously published London, 1799]
1847	Elisha P. Hurlbut, Essays on human rights and their political guaranties (Edinburgh; Glasgow; London) [reviewed in The Scotsman (16 Oct)]
1851	Leoni Levi delivers lecture on ‘Universal Code of Commerce in Connection with the Law of Nature and Nations’ at Merchants’ Hall, Hunter Square, Edinburgh (advertised (22 Mar) and reported in (26 Mar) The Scotsman)
1862	Regius Chair of the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh reinstated with appointment of James Lorimer (-1890)
1863	James Lorimer, An inaugural lecture on the law of nature and nations: delivered in the University of Edinburgh, January 6, 1863 (Edinburgh)
1868	James Lorimer, Reasons for the study of jurisprudence as a science (Edinburgh)
1872	James Lorimer, Institutes of natural law: A treatise of the principles of jurisprudence, as determined by nature (Edinburgh) based on his course

*For references, see the Site Bibliography.

Date	Publication, Appointment, Lecture, or Other Event
1705	William Cockburn, A letter from Mr. Cockburn to the Right Honourable John of Roxburgh, one of the principal secretaries of state for the Kingdom of Scotland (Edinburgh)
1706	Samuel Pufendorf, Le devoirs de l’homme et du citoyen, tels qu’ils lui sont prescrits par la loi naturelle, tr. J. Barberac (Amsterdam)
1707	William Scott (ed.), Hugonis Grotii de jure belli ac pacis librorum III. Compendium, annotationibus & commentaries selectis illustratum. In usum studisae juventutis Academiae Edinensis (Edinburgh)
1707	First Regius Professor of the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh, Charles Areskine (-1734); inaugural lecture on ‘God as the Fountain of Law’
1707	Samuel Pufendorf, Le droit de la nature des gens, ou system general des principes les plus importants de la monde, de la jurisprudence, et de las politique, tr. J. Barbeyrac, 2 vols (Amsterdam)
1707	Charles Areskine advertises class ‘on the Laws of Nature and Nations’ [Cairns, ‘First’*]
1711	Shaftesbury, Characteristicks of men, manners, opinions, times (London)
1712	‘Gershom Carmichael‘s Account of His Teaching Method’ (manuscript)
1718	Samuel Pufendorf, De jure naturae et gentium. Abridgments S. Puffendorfii de officio hominis et civis, juxta legum naturalem libri duo. Editio nova, aucta observationibus & supplementis, … adjectis a Gerschomo Carmichael… (Glasgow)
1721	David Verner, Dissertatio philosophica, de passionibus sive affectibus, quam…in auditorio publico Academiciae Novae Abredonensis, ad diem [] Aprilis, propugnabunt, David Verner praeses, et hi candidati laurea magistreriali condonandi (Aberdeen)
1722	Patrick Hardie, Amplissimo ac ornatissimo domino D. Gulielmo Forbes de Craigievar &c. Equiti Baronetto almae hujus Academiae rectori magnifico, dignissimo, non minus propriis virtutibus quam generosa prosapiâ illustri. Theses hasce philosophicas in deditissimi affectus & perpetuae observantiae tesseram, D.D.C.Q. Patricius Hardie praeses et hi candidati laurea magisteriali condecorandi. … Qui A.D.O.M. theses hasce cum annexis publicè propugnabant, in Collegio Novo Universitatis Carolinae Abredonensis, ad 11 diem Aprilis, 1722. h.l.q.s  (Aberdeen)
1724	Samuel Pufendorf, S. Puffendorfii De officio hominis et civis, juxta legem naturalem, libri duo. Supplementis & observationibus in academicæ juventutis usum auxit & illustravit Gerschomus Carmichael, Philosophiae in Academia Glasguensi Professor. Editio Secunda priore Auctior & Emendatior (Edinburgh)
1726	George Turnbull, Theses academicæ de pulcherrima mundi cum materialis tum rationalis constitutione quas; … sub præsidio Georgii Turnbull P.P, in auditorio publico Academiæ Novæ Abredonensis ad diem 14 Aprilis, … propugnabunt hi generosi adolescentes, ad gradum magisterialem laudabilite contendentes (Aberdeen)
1727	Gershom Carmichael, Professor of Moral Philosophy (-1729); uses Pufendorf, De officio homini et civis as his textbook
1727	Richard Cumberland, A treatise of the law of nature (London)
1728	Johann Gottieb Heineccius, Elementa philosophiae rationalis et moralis (Amsterdam)
1730	Francis Hutcheson ‘teaches Mr Carmichael‘s Compend on Puffendorf’ [More, ‘Presbyterianism’ 168*]
1732	Advocate John Lookup offers weekly ‘Prelections upon the Law of Nature and Nations’ [Cairns, ‘First’*]
1734	William Kirkpatrick becomes Regius Professor of the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh (-1735); does not teach and gives up position in the next year to become an MP
1735	George Abercromby, becomes Regius Professor of the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh (-1759); teaches using Grotius
1738	Grotius, The rights of war and peace, in three books…to which are added all the large notes of Mr. J. Barbeyrac (London)
1739	Hugh Blair, Dissertatio philosophica inauguralis, de fundamentis & obligatione legis naturæ: Quam, favente numine, ut in artibus liberalibus & disciplinis philosophicis magister rite renuncietur, ex auctoritate reverendi admodum viri, D. Gulielmi Wishart, S.T.D. academiæ Edinburgenæ præfecti: nec non amplissimi senatus academici. & nobilissima faculratis arrium, decreto, eruditorum examini, in auditorio publico academiæ, ad 23. diem Februarii, horâ 10. Antemeridianâ, subjiciet Hugo Blair, A. & R. (Edinburgh)
1740	George Turnbull, Theses Philosophicae de Scientiae Naturalis cum Philosophia Morali Conjunctione (Aberdeen)
1740	George Turnbull, The Principles of Moral Philosophy (London); contains material from graduation theses of 1726 and 1726 (Stewart 101*)
1741	J. G. Heineccius, A methodical system of universal law: or, The laws of nature and nations, deduced from certain principles, and applied to proper cases / written in Latin by the celebrated Jo. Got. Heineccius, counsellor of State to the King of Prussia, and professor of philosophy at Hall.; translated, and illustrated with notes and supplements, by George Turnbull LL. D. To which is added, a discourse upon the nature and origin of moral and civil laws ; in which they are deduced, by an analysis of the human mind in the experimental Way, from our internal principles and dispositions (London; new edn 1763)
1741	John Erskine, ‘The law of nature sufficiently promulgated to the heathens’ in Theological dissertations (London 1765)
1742	George Turnbull, Observations upon liberal education in all its branches  (London)
1742	Francis Hutcheson, Philosophiae moralis institutio compendiaria, ethices & jurisprudentiae naturalis elementa continens (Glasgow) (2nd edn, 1753)
1742	Walter Anderson, Dissertatio philosophica inauguralis, de naturali hominum ad societatem propensione. Quam, favente numine, ut in artibus liberalibus & disciplinis philosophicis magister rite renuncietur, ex auctoritate reverendi admodum viri, D. Gulielmi Wishart, S.T.D. academiæ Edinburgenæ præfecti: nec non amplissimi senatus academici, & nobilissima faculratis arrium, decreto, eruditorum examini, in auditorio publico academiæ, ad 18 diem Martii, hora 10. Antemeridianâ, subjiciet Gualterus Anderson, A. & R. (Edinburgh)
1746	Thomas Craigie, professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow (-1751); uses Hutcheson’s Philosophiae moralis institution compendaria, ethicis & jursiprudentiae naturalis elementa continuen as his textbook
1747	Francis Hutcheson, A short introduction to moral philosophy, in three books; containing the elements of ethicks and the law of nature. By Francis Hutcheson, Lld. Late Professor of Philosophy in the University of Glasgow. Translated from the Latin (Glasgow) [Book II = Elements of the law of nature; Advice on studying addressed ‘To the Students in Universities’]
1748	Lord President of the Court of Session urges trainee advocates ‘to learn thoroughly the principles of the Roman Law and the Laws of Nature and Nations’ [Cairns, ‘First’*]
1748	J. J. Burlamaqui, The principles of natural law : in which the true systems of morality and civil government are established, and the different sentiments of Grotius, Hobbes, Puffendorf, Barbeyrac, Locke, Clark, and Hutchinson, occasionally considered (London)
1749	Samuel Pufendorf, Of the law of nature and nations…to which are now added, all the large notes of Mr. Barbeyrac, translated from his last and fourth edition (5th edn, London)

*For references, see the Site Bibliography.