‘Law and Lawyers in Edmund Burke’s Scottish Enlightenment’

Abstract

On the margins of 'patriotism' and 'popery', Edmund Burke's essential Irishness remains poorly understood, not least in Ireland. But Burke was himself twice lord rector of Glasgow - he preceded Adam Smith - and there are few aspects of his life so neglected and so potentially rewarding as his relationships - personal,professional, and philosophical - to Scots jurists and the 'Scottish enlightenment'. Between them, Burke and the Scots exemplified the most pressing debates and developments of the century.

Keywords: Edmund Burke, law, lawyers, Scotland, Scottish Enlightenment