James Burnett, Lord Monboddo

James Burnett, Lord Monboddo (* October 25, 1714 at Monboddo House, Kincardineshire, Scotland, † May 26, 1799 ) was a Scottish lawyer and writer.

Life

James Burnett, Lord Monboddo was a Scottish judge, scholar of linguistic development and philosopher. It is estimated today as the founder of modern comparative historical linguistics ( Hobbs, 1992). In 1767 he became a judge at the Court of Session, the Supreme Court of Scotland. After that, Burnett assumed a title that refers to the property of his father, namely Monboddo House, involved. Some scholars are of the opinion that Monboddo has developed the concept of evolution before Darwin (Watt, 1985), ( Bailey, 2005), ( Cloyd, 1972).

Works

  • Of the Origin and Progress of Language. 6 volumes, London 1773-92
  • Antient Metaphysics. 6 volumes, London 1779-99
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