'Drawing on a host of previously unknown letters, manuscripts and other primary source materials, this book adds significantly to our understanding of Robertson's life, especially as a Scottish Presbyterian clergyman. Thanks to Jeffrey Smitten, the long wait for a modern biography of William Robertson is finally over.' Richard Sher, New Jersey Institute of Technology The first book-length study of Robertson's life and career in over 200 years A prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, William Robertson differed from his better-known contemporaries, such as Voltaire, Hume, and Gibbon because he used the critical tools of the Enlightenment not to attack religion but to strengthen it. Drawing extensively on his unpublished correspondence, Jeffrey R. Smitten captures both the man and his work in his own words. By foregrounding Robertson's religious outlook, he offers a more contextualised and nuanced interpretation of his motives and intentions, as well as his beliefs, than we have had before. This biography assesses Robertson's achievement based on fresh consideration of all facets of his career as minister, historian, and principal. Jeffrey R. Smitten is Professor Emeritus of English at Utah State University. Cover image: William Robertson, Henry Raeburn, 1792, part of The University of Edinburgh Art Collection (c) The University of Edinburgh Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-0-7486-4610-4 Barcode

AbbreviationsBibliographical NotePreface1. Early Years, 1721-352. Education of a Minister, 1734-443. Parish Ministry, 1744-504. Ministry and History, 1750-95. "Innumerable Occupations", 1760-96. Achievement and Decline, 1770-807. Last Years, 1781-93