David Hume was born on 27 February 1757. His parents were from Berwickshire and Roxburghshire, and he was the nephew of the philosopher David Hume (1711-1776). Hume became an Advocate in 1779 and a Sheriff in Berwickshire in 1784, then afterwards in West Lothian. In 1786, he became Professor of Scots Law at Edinburgh University. Sir Walter Scott attended Hume's classes when a student at the University, in his early years. In 1811, Hume was appointed Principal Clerk to the Court of Session, and in 1822 Baron of the Scots Exchequer, a post which he held until the abolition of the body. He had also been a curator of the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh. Hume's publications include Commentaries on the law of Scotland: respecting the description and punishment of crimes (1797), and Commentaries on the law of Scotland respecting trial for crimes (1800). David Hume died at his house in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town on 30 August 1838.
From the guide to the Lectures of David Hume (1757-1838), Baron of the Scots Exchequer, 1788-1821, (Edinburgh University Library)
