Gershom Carmichael (1672-1729)

Gershom Carmichael (1672-1729)

About Carmichael

  • Regent at St Andrews, 1693
  • Regent at Glasgow, 1694-1727
  • Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow, 1727-1729

Teaching

  • Moral philosophy course ‘reoriented…around Pufendorf’s theories of natural law’ (Cairns, ‘Origins…Glasgow’ 157*)
  • Used Pufendorf’s textbook De officio homini et civis as text for teaching moral philosophy (Cairns, ‘Ethics’ 166*)
  • Discussed Locke’s theories and the social contract in his natural jurisprudence lectures (Wood, Aberdeen Enlightenment 181*)

Publications, Manuscripts and other Resources

  • ‘… most important publication, an extended commentary on Samuel Pufendorf’s work on the duty of man and citizen, S[amuelis] Pufendorfii de officio hominis et civis juxta legem naturalem, libri duo. Supplementis et observationibus in academicae juventutis usum auxit et illustravit Gerschomus Carmichael (1724; first edn, 1718).’ (ODNB*)
  • Pufendorf, Samuel, Freiherr von, De jure naturæ et gentium. Abridgments S. Puffendorfii de officio hominis et civis, juxta legem naturalem libri duo. Editio nova, aucta observationibus & supplementis, … adjectis a Gerschomo Carmichael … (Glasguæ: ex officina Donaldi Govan, 1718)
  • Pufendorf, Samuel, Freiherr von, De jure naturæ et gentium. Abridgments  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 (Edinburgi: typis Joannis Mosman & sociorum, impensis Joannis Paton Bibliopolae; & prostant venales apud officinam ejus in Area Parliamentaria, MDCCXXIV. [1724])
  • University of Glasgow, Archives and Business Records Centre, account of Carmichael’s teaching, 43170

*For references, see the Site Bibliography.