The Scottish Enlightenment Trivia Quiz

Answer: Francis Hutcheson

Francis Hutcheson (1694-1746) wrote many essays and letters on aesthetics, moral philosopy, ethics, etc and is noted for such works as "Thoughts on Laughter" (a criticism of Thomas Hobbes), "Inquiry Concerning Moral Good and Evil"(1725) and "About the natural fellowship of mankind" (1730 - an inaugural lecture following his appointmnet to the Chair in Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University).

Answer: The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a moral philosopher and, perhaps, the first political economist. His "Wealth of Nations" published in March, 1776 is still a profoundly influential book. The first publication which brought Adam Smith recognition was his "Theory on Moral Sentiments" which laid out much of his philosophy. The other two works mentioned were published posthumously.

Answer: Battle of Fontenoy

Adam Ferguson (1723-1816) his "Essay on Civil Society" is, perhaps, the first publication (in the "modern" era) to deal with sociology.

Answer: Thoughts Concerning the Late Transactions Respecting the Falkland Islands(1771)

David Hume (1711-1776) was one of the most important figures in Western philosophy who did profound work on causation, naturalism, skepticism and influenced Adam Smith, Albert Einstein, John Stuart Mill and Charles Darwin, among many others. The work on the Falkland Islands was written by Samuel Johnson

Answer: The Origin and Progress of Man and Language

James Burnett, Lord Monboddo (1714-1799) founded modern historical linguistics, he is also credited with being and evolutionary theorist inspiring Darwin, Robert Burns was in love with his daughter Eliza, Johnson and Boswell were friends.

Answer: Henry Raeburn

Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) was a noted portrait painter his "The Skating Minister" is, perhaps, his most famous work. Joseph Black (1728-1799) was the first person to isolate carbon dioxide. Sir John Leslie (1766-1832) worked on thermodynamics and invented the Leslie cube. Sir John Playfair wrote "Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth" (a summary of the works of James Hutton) which was a profound influence on geology.

Answer: Charlie is My Darling (1817)

Although Sir Walter Scott did write "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border" in 1802 the song "Charlie is My Darling" was probably written by either Carolina Oliphant (1766-1845), an excellent Scottish songwriter and poet famed for her beauty and wit, or by James Hogg (1770-1835), the Scottish poet known as "the Ettrick Shepherd".

Answer: Matthew Boulton

Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) was a manufacturer, craftsman and engineer who got into partnership with James Watt (1736-1819) when Dr John Roebuck (1719-1794), unable to pay a debt of £1,200, gave Boulton his share of Watt's engine. William Murdoch (1754-1839) was the inventor of gas lighting and got his first important job with Boulton and Watt (because Boulton liked his wooden hat)in 1777.

He became a partner at Boulton and Watt in 1810. Joseph Black (1728-1799) was Watt's distinguished teacher.

Answer: He founded the Scottish School of Common Sense

The Scottish School of Common Sense was a response to the writings of Hume, Locke, Berkeley etc and influenced the likes of Charles Peirce, the US pragmatist. "The Physiology of the Human Mind" was written by Thomas Brown (1778-1820) who was a metaphysicist and philosopher.

Modern comparative linguistics was founded by James Burnett, Lord Monboddo. The "Encyclopedia Britannica" was edited by William Smellie (1740-1795) and originally appeaqred in 100 weekly instalments between 1768 and 1771.

Answer: Haddo House

Robert Adam (1728-1792), creator of the Adam style, was the most distinguished of a family of architects, which included his brothers John (1721-1792) and James (1732-1794) his father William Adam (1689-1748) designed Haddo House. Apsley and Kenwood House are in London, Harewood House is in West Yorkshire and Haddo House is in Aberdeen.