John Bruce (historiographer) facts for kids

John Bruce (1744–1826) was a smart Scottish person who did many things. He was a professor, a politician, and a historian for a big trading company called the East India Company. He was also a member of important scientific groups.

A Smart Start in Fife

John Bruce was born in Fife, Scotland, around 1744 or 1745. His father, Andrew Bruce, was a shipmaster. John inherited a property called Grangehill near Kinghorn, also in Fifeshire.

He went to the University of Edinburgh to study. After finishing, he became an assistant professor there, teaching logic. Later, he became a full professor of moral philosophy.

Important Jobs and Politics

John Bruce became a tutor for Robert Saunders Dundas, whose father, Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, was a very important politician. Because of this connection, John Bruce received many important jobs.

He shared a special job with Sir James Hunter Blair, 1st Baronet as the king's official printer for Scotland. He also became the keeper of important government papers and a secretary for the Privy Council. From 1801, he was the official historian for the East India Company, which was a huge British trading company.

John Bruce was also a politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mitchell in Cornwall from 1809 to 1814. For a short time, he was also a Secretary to the Board of Control, which helped manage affairs in India.

Joining Important Societies

John Bruce was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1791. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. In 1783, he helped start the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Göttingen. In 1764, he founded a discussion group called the Speculative Society.

He passed away at his home, Nuthill House in Fife, on April 16, 1826.

Family Life

John Bruce's niece, Margaret Bruce (1788–1869), married a man named Onesiphorus Tyndall. After they married, he became known as Tyndall-Bruce (1790–1855). He became a Deputy Lieutenant of Fife, which was an important local position.

What He Wrote

John Bruce wrote several books and reports. Some of his writings were printed privately for the government to use confidentially.

• First Principles of Philosophy, Edinburgh, 1780, 1781, 1785.
• Elements of the Science of Ethics, or the Principles of Natural Philosophy, London, 1786.
• Historical View of Plans for the Government of British India, 1793.
• Review of the Events and Treaties which established the Balance of Power in Europe, and the Balance of Trade in favour of Great Britain, London, 1796.
• Report on the Arrangements which were made for the internal Defence of these Kingdoms when Spain by its Armada projected the Invasion and Conquest of England, London, 1798. This report was printed just for government ministers when France was threatening to invade. William Pitt, who was Prime Minister, used ideas from this report to plan for defence.
• Report on the Events and Circumstances which produced the Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland..., 2 volumes, London [1799]. These papers were gathered for the Duke of Portland, who was a government minister. They helped when the idea of joining Great Britain and Ireland was being discussed.
• Report on the Arrangements which have been adopted in former periods, when France threatened Invasions of Britain or Ireland..., London [1801]. This was another private report for the government about how to defend against invasions.
• Annals of the East India Company from their establishment by the Charter of Queen Elizabeth, 1600, to the union of the London and English East India Company, 1707–8, 3 volumes, London, 1810. This was a detailed history of the East India Company.
• Report on the Renewal of the Company's Exclusive Privileges of Trade for twenty years from March 1794, London, 1811.
• Speech in the Committee of the House of Commons on India Affairs, London, 1813.