David Hume's Failed Application for Chair of Moral Philosophy, 1745

In 1744 the Chair of Ethics and Pneumatic Philosophy at Edinburgh University was expected to fall vacant and David Hume (1711-1776) hoped to occupy it. However, support for him fell away not least because of accusations of heresy, scepticism and atheism that were levelled against him. In 1745 he became a companion to the Marquis of Annandale and resided with the family at Weldhall near St. Albans, Hertfordshire. In 1746, Hume accepted an offer to act as Secretary to General St. Clair under whom he served in France and journeyed to the Hague, Vienna, and Italy.