James Burnett, Lord Monboddo...eccentric with strange ideas

[On the right.]
James Burnett, Lord Monboddo
October 25th, 1714 to May 26th, 1799

Scottish jurist and pioneer anthropologist who explored the origins of language and society and in some respects anticipated principles of Darwinian evolution. In his theory, he maintains that man was at first a mere animal, that he walked on all fours, and that he possessed a tail, of which we discover the rudiments. There has been a progression in mankind from one stage to higher, they erect themselves, they learn the use of their hands, and they learn to swim. They lived first on natural fruits, and then learned hunting and fishing. He is not so trustworthy as Darwin in his facts: he tells us that there is a whole nation of Esquimaux with only one leg; that in Ethiopia men have only one eye, and this in their foreheads and he believed in mermaids.

James Burnett, Lord Monboddo [Wikipedia]


Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 1

Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 2

Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 3

Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 4

Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 5

Antient Metaphysics: Or, The Science of Universals Volume 6


Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 1

Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 2

Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 3

Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 4

Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 5

Of the Origin and Progress of Language Volume 6