Walter Anderson (historian) facts for kids
Walter Anderson (1723–1800) was a Scottish historian and a minister. He lived a long life dedicated to studying and writing about history. He is remembered for his detailed books, especially those about ancient times and the history of France.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Walter Anderson was born in 1723. He became a minister, which is a type of religious leader, and served the community of Chirnside in Berwickshire, Scotland, for fifty years. This means he spent most of his adult life helping people and leading services in his church.
His Books and Writings
Anderson was a very busy writer. He published several books on different historical topics.
The History of Crœsus
One of his most notable books was The History of Crœsus, King of Lydia, published in 1755. This book was quite special because it talked about ancient ideas of fate, dreams, and oracles. Oracles were like ancient fortune-tellers or prophets who were believed to give advice from the gods.
- This book was largely based on the writings of Herodotus, a famous ancient Greek historian.
- Anderson seriously discussed whether the messages from oracles were truly inspired.
- However, the book received some criticism from important reviews of the time, like the Edinburgh Review.
Histories of France
Walter Anderson also wrote a series of books about the history of France.
- In 1769, he published a history covering the reigns of French kings Francis II and Charles IX.
- He continued this work in 1775, bringing the story up to the time of the Edict of Nantes, an important agreement that gave rights to Protestants in France.
- His final volume on French history was published in 1783, extending the timeline to the Peace of Munster.
It is said that Walter Anderson was so dedicated to his writing that he sold a house to pay for each of his history books to be published. This shows how much he loved history and wanted to share his knowledge.
Philosophy of Ancient Greece
In 1791, late in his life, Anderson published another book. This one focused on the Philosophy of Ancient Greece. This book explored the ideas and thoughts of ancient Greek thinkers.
Later Life and Legacy
Walter Anderson passed away on August 31, 1800, in Chirnside, the same place where he had served as a minister for so many years. He left behind a collection of historical works that show his deep interest in both ancient and more recent European history.
