“Building on the recent upsurge in interest in Stewart, Macintyre has, through extensive archival research, supplied the where and the when of Stewart’s rather academic life… A carefully constructed portrait of a teacher of genius.” Eighteenth-Century Scotland
“Macintyre has mustered a wealth of documents, particularly correspondence of people acquainted with Stewart, that has never before been readily available and from which future biographers will profit. Another strength is the vibrant picture sketched of the contemporary scene Stewart inhabited. Accounts of his presence in Paris at the Fall of the Bastille and his close friendship with Thomas Jefferson are among those that add real depth to our perspective on his world.” Stewart News: The Newsletter of the Stewart Society
“Gordon Macintyre has produced a book that not only throws light on the domestic life of a Scottish professor but also on the social and academic life of late eighteenth-century Edinburgh. Stewart was so well-connected, indeed, that many other characters appear in the story, including men of letters, such as Robert Burns and Walter Scott, and leading politicians of the day. The work contains supplements on his writings and an account of his thought. I recommend it for all who are interested in Scottish history.” Dr Stuart Brown, Professor of Philosophy at The Open University, and author of British Philosophy in the Age of Enlightenment
“Dugald Stewart made an enormous contribution to the intellectual climate of his age. Gordon Macintyre’s admirable book is long overdue.” Sunday Herald
“Informative and readable… of great interest to the cultural historian.” Philosophical Quarterly
“The philosopher Dugald Stewart was among the most celebrated thinkers of his age. The circular memorial to Stewart on Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh’s most familiar landmarks. This book amply demonstrates why he deserves such a conspicuous honour.” Historic Scotland
“A highly readable and thoroughly researched book.…Macintyre’s engaging account of Stewart’s life will encourage further research into this neglected Scottish philosopher and man of letters.” Eighteenth-Century Thought
