Reid, Thomas
- Biography
- Philosopher, translator and founder of the first public reference library in Scotland. Educated Aberdeen grammar school, then Marischal Coll., grad. M.A. about 1600. Master of the grammar school 1602-3. Regent, Marischal Coll., 1603-7. Travelled to the continent, studying in France, then Leipzig and Rostock. Appointed docent at Rostock 1608, taught philosophy and humanity there 1609-16. Published 8 works on metaphysics while at Rostock. Matriculated Leipzig 1613. Returned to Scotland, Latin secretary to James I 1618-24. Produced Latin translation of the King's collected works 1619. M.A., Oxford 1620. Died London 1624. Older brother of Alexander and son of James. By his will he bequeathed to the town & new college of Aberdeen his collection of books (about 1350 volumes), & 6000 merks to endow a librarian who "sall hold the door of the librarie patent and oppin four dayes of the weeke the whole yeir." Reid's collection included "the fairest and largest editions of all the classics that were printed from the time of Aldus Manutius until the year 1615... and many valuable and curious MSS."
- Biography Date
- d.1624
- Biography References
- Prov. Reg. Notes (Article by P.J.Anderson in D.N.B); LOC; CERL; DNB; Fasti 31, 185; Drummond 306; Wightman xiv
Book List
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