Lectures of Professor James Seth (1860-1924)

The material is composed of: lectures on the history of philosophy, 1897-1898; and, lectures on the history of philosophy, circa 1895.

James Seth was born in Edinburgh in 1860. He was educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh, and then he studied at Edinburgh University where he was awarded the degree of MA in 1881. He also studied at Leipzig, Jena and Berlin. Seth was an Assistant to Professor Campbell Fraser, 1883-1885, then Professor of Philosophy at Dalhousie College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1886-1892. He became Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh University in 1898. Seth had also been placed at Brown University, USA, 1892-1896, and Sage Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cornell University, USA, 1896-1898. Professor James Seth died on 24 July 1924.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Lectures, acquired Mr. J. M. Ross, April 1972, Accession no. E72.10.

The local Index indicates that the lectures, 1897-1898, may be those of Professor Andrew Seth (1856-1931) who had been Professor of Logic and Metaphysics at Edinburgh University. The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1916-1928. 3rd edition. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1962.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The local Indexes show various references to Seth related material (check the Indexes for more details): letters to C. Sarolea, 1912-1913, at Sar.Coll.33.]; mention in letter of Bergson to Professor N. Kemp Smith, 1923, at Gen.1416; and, record of essay and examination results, at Da.(class lists). In addition, the UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: letters (32) to Alexander Campbell Fraser, 1866-1909, National Library of Scotland, Manuscript Division, Ref. Dep 208 NRA 27273 Fraser