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Alexander Smith (12 June 1796 – 12 February 1851) was a Scottish philosopher and educator from Banff, Aberdeenshire. He is known for his contributions to moral philosophy and his work The Philosophy of Morals. Smith spent most of his life in Banff, with a period at the University of Aberdeen. He was also known as a musician and a member of the local literary society.

Early life and education

Smith was born in Banff, Aberdeenshire, on 12 June 1796. He was educated in Banff, where he was recognized for his talents. Along with five other boys, he benefited from the education system in Banff.

Smith attended King's College, Aberdeen, graduating with an M.A. in 1814. He studied moral philosophy under Dr. William Jack.

Career

After graduating, Smith worked as a parochial schoolmaster at Rothiemay and later at a private academy in Forres. In 1820, he received his ministerial license from the Presbytery of Fordyce. However, he did not pursue a ministerial career and instead taught English at Banff Academy until 1827, when his health declined. He subsequently became the local postmaster, a position he held until his death in 1851.

Literary and philosophical contributions

In 1810, Smith, along with the other boys, established a literary society in Banff, which held meetings for the delivery of essays and discussions on literary subjects. The society's collection of books was gifted to the town library in 1899.

Smith's major philosophical work, The Philosophy of Morals, was published in 1835. Influenced by William Paley's theological utilitarian liberalism, Smith addressed issues in moral philosophy.

Selected publications

• Smith, Alexander (January 1837). "Evangelical Preaching". Edinburgh Review.
• Smith, Alexander (1835). The Philosophy of Morals. Smith, Elder & Co.
• Smith, Alexander (January 1840). "Douglas on the Philosophy of Mind". Edinburgh Review.
• Smith, Alexander (April 1841). "Lieber's Political Ethics". Edinburgh Review.
• Smith, Alexander (January 1842). "Phrenological Ethics". Edinburgh Review.
• Smith, Alexander (December 1835). "The Philosophy of Poetry". Blackwood's Magazine.

References

1. National Archives of Scotland. OPR for Banff. Vol. 174/4. p. 68.
2. Imlach, James (1884). History of Banff. Imlach. p. 131. The epitaph states that she was 'grateful' to John Smith. However, the stone itself says 'affection'.
3. Rait, Robert S. (1895). The Universities of Aberdeen. Aberdeen University Press. p. 52.
4. Mackintosh, R. J. (1886). Memoirs of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh. Vol. 1. pp. 15–16.
5. National Archives of Scotland. Presbytery records: Fordyce. Vol. CH2/158/9.
6. Barclay, William (1925). Schools and Schoolmasters of Banffshire. Banff.
7. Scott, William C. (1908). Annals of Banff. Vol. 1. p. 249.
8. Smith, Alexander (1835). The Philosophy of Morals. Smith, Elder & Co.

Further reading

• Sell, Alan P. F.; Mander, W. J. (2002). Dictionary of Nineteenth-Century British Philosophers. Bloomsbury. p. 1033.
• Grayling, A. C.; Goulder, Naomi; Pyle, Andrew (2006). The Continuum Encyclopaedia of British Philosophy. Continuum. p. 1034.
• Allibone, S. A. (1886). Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors. Vol. 2. J. B. Lippincott & Co. p. 219.
• Abrams, M. H. (1953). "The Semantics of Expressive Language: Alexander Smith". The Mirror and the Lamp. Oxford University Press. pp. 148–155.
• Brown, Robert (1970). Between Hume and Mill: an Anthology of British Philosophy 1749–1843. New York.
• Schneewind, J. B. (1977). Sidgwick's Ethics and Victorian Moral Philosophy. Oxford University Press. pp. 81–88.
• Crimmins, J. E. (1983). "John Brown and the Theological Tradition of Utilitarian Ethics". History of Political Thought. 4 (3): 523–550.

• 1796 births
• 1851 deaths
• Scottish philosophers
• People from Banff, Aberdeenshire
• Alumni of the University of Aberdeen
• Scottish clergy
• People educated at Banff Academy
• Scottish literary critics