David Macpherson (historian) facts for kids
David Macpherson (born 1746 – died 1816) was a Scottish historian. He spent his life studying and writing about history.
About David Macpherson's Life
David Macpherson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on October 26, 1746. His father was a tailor, someone who made clothes. David probably went to the Edinburgh High School and then studied at the University of Edinburgh.
After his schooling, he trained to be a land surveyor. This meant he measured and mapped land. He worked as a surveyor in both the UK and America. Around 1790, he moved to London with his wife and family. There, he started working as a writer, which was how he made his living.
Sometimes, David Macpherson had money troubles because of bad loans. But he kept writing, and other historians like Joseph Ritson and George Chalmers encouraged him. He passed away in London on August 1, 1816.
What David Macpherson Wrote
David Macpherson helped look after important public records for a while. He also helped get the first parts of a book called Rotuli Scotiæ ready to be published. This book contained old Scottish records.
He also edited an old history book called Orygynal Cronykil of Scotland by Andrew Wyntoun. This was published in two volumes in 1795. Later, another historian, David Laing, updated it in 1879.
Here are some of David Macpherson's other important books:
- Geographical Illustrations of Scottish History (1796): This book helped explain the geography of Scotland's history.
- Annals of Commerce, Fisheries, and Navigation (1805): This was a big, four-volume work. It covered the history of trade, fishing, and shipping from ancient times up to 1801. It included information from an earlier book by Adam Anderson.
- The History of European Commerce with India (1812): This book looked at how European countries traded with India.
