Professor Adam Ferguson

An article in Blackwood's Magazine dated April 1896 tells the story of Adam Ferguson: 'In his younger days Adam Ferguson, afterwards Professor of History in the University of Edinburgh, was chaplain of the Black Watch and was present with it at Fontenoy. When the regiment was advancing into action, Sir Robert Munro, the colonel, noticed his chaplain at the head of the column with drawn sword in his hand, and ordered him to the rear with the surgeons. Fergusson refused, and when the colonel, in the altercation that ensued, threatened to have the chaplain's commission cancelled, Ferguson bluntly retorted, "Damn my Commission!" Then charging at the head of his flock he fought like a valiant Scotsman during the bloody fray.' He was subsequently forgiven for his insubordination, and gained in stature in the eyes of the staunch Presbyterians in the ranks.
He stayed in the regiment until 1754 when he left the clergy to be a writer, university lecturer and philosopher. He travelled abroad and lived for a while in Leipzig. He met Voltaire in France and travelled to Italy. He died at St Andrews on 22 Feb 1816. This painting is by Joshua Reynolds. There is also a large mural monument to him in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral.

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