File talk:David hume statue.jpg

I fear that this page is a serious error.

I believe the statue depicts David Hume who is a significant figure in the history of Scots Law (hence the choice of its location outside Edinburgh's Sheriff Court).

Here is an extract from an Edinburgh University website that refers to him:

David Hume was born on 27 February 1757. His parents were from Berwickshire and Roxburghshire, and he was the nephew of the philosopher David Hume (1711-1776). Hume became an Advocate in 1779 and a Sheriff in Berwickshire in 1784, then afterwards in West Lothian. In 1786, he became Professor of Scots Law at Edinburgh University. Sir Walter Scott attended Hume's classes when a student at the University, in his early years. In 1811, Hume was appointed Principal Clerk to the Court of Session, and in 1822 Baron of the Scots Exchequer, a post which he held until the abolition of the body. He had also been a curator of the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh. Hume's publications include Commentaries on the law of Scotland: respecting the description and punishment of crimes (1797), and Commentaries on the law of Scotland respecting trial for crimes (1800). David Hume died at his house in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town on 30 August 1838.

Why anyone would allow this statue to be placed at its particular location is beyond my comprehension. It is bound to sow confusion in the minds of visitors who, to a man, will assume it is his uncle, the famous philosopher.

Since posting my last message, it seems that I'm the one who made the error.

A little research has shown that the statue does indeed represent David Hume, the philosopher.

The fact that the figure seems to be wearing a Roman toga simply deepens the confusion (David Hume, the nephew, being an expert in Roman Law).

Whoever allowed this statue to go ahead deserves to be castigated for their irresponsibility. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.25.217.12 (talk) 22:04, 5 July 2010 (UTC)