Thomas Davidson (philosopher)

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Thomas Davidson (1840-10-25 - 1900-09-14) was a Scottish philosopher and lecturer.

Davidson was born of Presbyterian parents at Deer, near Aberdeen. After graduating from Aberdeen University (1860) he successively held the positions of rector of the Grammar School of Old Aberdeen, teacher and professor in various places in England, Scotland, and America. He travelled extensively, and became a proficient linguist, acquiring a knowledge of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Latin, and Arabic.

Davidson's most successful work was in connection with the Educational Alliance in New York, where he attained wide popularity by a series of lectures on sociology. A special class was formed for Jewish young men and women, whom he introduced to the great writers on sociology and their problems. He aimed at founding among them what he called a "Breadwinners' College," but his work was cut short by his sudden death in Montreal, Quebec.

Among Davidson's many works are: Fragments of Parmenides (1869), and The Parthenon Frieze and Other Essays (1882). He introduced to English readers the philosophical system of Antonio Rosmini-Serbati, most of whose works he translated.