Adam Ferguson’s Later Writings

This collection features unpublished letters and an essay by Adam Ferguson, exploring his influence and thoughts during the late Scottish Enlightenment.

This collection presents a critically introduced and edited selection of new letters and an essay by the esteemed philosopher Adam Ferguson. Featuring 36 previously unpublished letters and one essay, this volume offers fresh insights into Ferguson's life and work, contextualizing his contributions within the broader scope of the Scottish Enlightenment. The letters, which were written during the latter part of Ferguson's life, provide a unique perspective on significant historical events, including the East India Company, the Regency Crisis, and the Scottish responses to the French Revolution.

In Adam Ferguson's Later Writings, readers will discover how Ferguson and his contemporaries, such as Hugh Blair and Alexander Carlyle, sought to influence British foreign policy during the late 1790s. The collection not only sheds light on Ferguson's thoughts regarding Enlightenment and Empire but also reveals personal reflections that enhance our understanding of his intellectual journey. The letters, addressed to his close friend Sir John Macpherson, unveil the intricate connections between Ferguson's ideas and the political landscape of his time.

Moreover, this volume serves as a significant contribution to the study of the late Scottish Enlightenment, filling in gaps in Ferguson's biography and offering new angles on his philosophical, historical, and political ideas. A comprehensive introductory essay outlines the main findings and provides critical context, making Adam Ferguson's Later Writings an essential resource for both specialists and students interested in this pivotal figure of the Enlightenment.