Lectures of John Wishart, Regent (fl. 1653-1680)

The collection is composed of: lectures by Wishart, 1675, Idea metaphysicae a Magistro Joanne Sophocardio dictata; dictates on metaphysics and ethics, 1671; dictates on natural philosophy, 1671-1672; dictates, 1675; dictates, 1679-1680, Idea philosophiae moralis and Idea doctrinae de corpore vulgo physicae; dictates, 1679-1680; and, dictates on philosophy, 1680.

John Wishart was a graduate of Edinburgh University, taking his degree in 1650. He appears in a list of the Principals and Professors of Edinburgh University, from its foundation to the year 1700, and extracted from the 'Register of the Honourable the Town-council of Edinburgh'. He is listed among 'Regents or Professors', March 11. 1653. Wishart was the thirteenth Professor of Humanity, but he only held the post for one session before being appointed Professor of Philosophy. He was the thirty-first Professor of Philosophy. In 1656 he had also become one of the 'Commissaries' of Edinburgh. John Wishart, Regent, and Commissary, resigned on 14 July 1680.

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

Kid notes, indexed as acquired from Andrew Linton, 1925. Coulton dictates, purchased April 1962, Accession no. E62.22. Scott dictates, purchased January 1963, Accession no. E63.7. Dictates, 1671-1672, acquired January 1963, Accession nos. E63.11 and 12.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Bower, Alexander. The history of the University of Edinburgh; chiefly compiled from original papers and records, never before published. Vol.1. Edinburgh: Printed for Oliphant, Waugh and Innes, 1817. (2) Dalzel, Andrew. History of the University of Edinburgh from its foundation. Vol.2. History. Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas, 1862.

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 reference to a signature of Wishart, admitting him to the use of Edinburgh University Library, 11 December 1662, at Da. 2.1, p.15. There are also the lecture notes of Robert Kirk at Dc.8.114 and for a description see Archives Hub Papers of Robert Kirk held at Edinburgh University. In addition, the UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: 1663-64: notes taken as a student, 1663-1664, St. Andrews University Library, Ref. MS38301, and lecture notes, 1675-1676.