Hugh Blair (April 7, 1718 – December 27, 1800), was a Scottish author, considered one of the first great theorists
Hugh Blair (April 7, 1718 – December 27, 1800), was a Scottish author, considered one of the first great theorists of written discourse. As a Presbyterian preacher and occupant of the Chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres at the University of Edinburgh, Blair’s teachings had a great impact in both Blair was born in Edinburgh into an educated Presbyterian family. From an early age it was clear that Blair, a weakly child, should be educated for a life in the church. Blair studied moral philosophy and literature at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated at the age of twenty-one. His thesis, “De Fundamentis et Obligatione Legis Naturae”, serves as a precursor to the later published Sermons in its discussion of the principles of morality and virtue. In 1741, two years after the publication of his thesis, Blair received his license as a Presbyterian preacher. Shortly thereafter, the Earl of Leven heard of Blair’s popularity and presented him to the Parish Church of Collessie in Fife. By 1743 Blair was elected as the second charge of the Church of Canongate, where he spent the next eleven years. Blair was appointed to the charge of Lady Yester’s Church in 1754, and four years later was promoted to the High Church of St. Giles; the highest position that a clergyman could achieve in Scotland. Blair maintained this position for many years, during which time he published a five volume series of his addresses entitled Sermons. Having attained ultimate success in the church, Blair turned to matters of education. In 1757 he was presented with an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Church of St. Andrews and began to teach a course in the principles of literary composition for the University of Edinburgh in 1759. At first Blair taught without remuneration, but the popularity of his course led to the institution of a class in Rhetoric at the university and a paid professorship for Blair.
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