James Anderson of Hermiston

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James Anderson of Hermiston (born January 17, 1739 in Hermiston near Edinburgh , † October 15, 1808 ) was a Scottish agronomist writer .

James Anderson

Life

His ancestors cultivated the same piece of land for a long time, which introduced him early to the branch of knowledge that would occupy his life. He lost his parents at an early age, so his guardian trained him to enable him to run his parents' farm. First he devoted himself to chemistry, realizing that practically nothing could be done with mechanically learned things from books about agriculture. He extended the studies to neighboring areas; at fifteen he returned to his parents' farm with a knowledge that far surpassed that of his neighbors. He successfully introduced improvements such as the two-horse plow, which has since been popular in Scotland.

After a few years he left Hermiston and leased the 1,300- acre Monksbill farm in Aberdeenshire , which was almost in a natural state. While he strove to cultivate this unpromising piece of earth, he began his literary career by publishing his Essays on Planting, written in 1771, in Edinburgh Weekly Magazine in 1777 under the pseudonym "Agricola". All of his early writings were written during his over 20-year stay on Monkbill. The fame of the same led to numerous correspondence, also with outstanding people who wanted to benefit from the knowledge of a farmer who was practically so experienced. Without his bother, he received an LL from the University of Aberdeen . D. (Legum Doctor) awarded on an honorary basis. In 1783 he entrusted the management of his farm to suitable people and moved to the neighborhood of Edinburgh, on the one hand because of the upbringing of his large family, on the other hand he sought closer contact with his many pen pals.

At the same time he was circulating among his friends a treatise on the establishment of the North British fisheries, which, although not published, attracted the attention of the government. As a result, the Treasury commissioned him, in order to obtain information on this important subject, to provide an overview of the west coast of Scotland. Anderson agreed and did the job in 1784. The Committee's report on the state of British fisheries dated May 11, 1785 mentions Anderson's service in this regard.

After his return he turned to new literary ventures. The Bee is to appear weekly as a magazine. After a promising start, after which not only he made valuable contributions under various pseudonyms, but also other correspondents, he discontinued the magazine due to some organizational difficulties. Among other things, it had also published essays on political progress in Great Britain, written with the democratic anger that was widespread in Edinburgh shortly after the outbreak of the French Revolution. Thereupon the sheriff sent to Anderson and wanted to know the author of these contributions from this, which Anderson refused because he felt obliged to the literary secret. After several unsuccessful attempts, the magistrate finally dropped the matter.

Around 1797, Anderson moved to the neighborhood of London and opened the periodical Recreations in Agriculture , the first issue of which appeared in April 1799. Most of the contributions came from his pen, supplemented by correspondence and a few contributions from his circle of friends. It ended with the sixth issue in March 1802.

Economic discoveries

Karl Marx : Theories about surplus value. 1956

Anderson is attributed the discovery of the rent theory by Karl Marx . In An inquiry into the nature of the corn laws, with a view to the new corn bill proposed for Scotland (Edinburgh 1777), Anderson developed it casually without making a fuss. These appear in turn in the essays. Relating to Agriculture and rural Affairs (3 volumes, Edinburgh 1775–1796) as well as in the Recreations in Agriculture published from 1799 to 1802 . Natural history, arts, etc. Anderson was apparently unknown to David Ricardo , so that Malthus assigned priority in this regard.

John Gray, on the other hand, had printed an excerpt from Anderson's Agricultural Report for the County of Aberdeen in the appendix to his work The Essential Principles of the Wealth of Nations etc. (London 1797) .

Fonts

  • A practical treatise on chimneys; containing full directions for constructing them in all cases, so as to draw well, and for removing smoke in houses. London 1776.
  • Free Thoughts on the American Contest. Edinburgh 1776.
  • Miscellaneous observations on planting and training timber-trees, by Agricola. Edinburgh 1777, 8 volumes.
  • Observations on the means of exciting a spirit of National Industry. Edinburgh 1777, 4 volumes.
  • An inquiry into the nature of the Corn Laws, with a view to the new Corn Bill proposed for Scotland. 1777, 8 volumes. (Excerpts: The Origin of the Rent ).
  • Essays relating to Agriculture and rural affairs. Edinburgh 1775–1796, 3 volumes.
  • An inquiry into the causes that have hitherto retarded the advancement of Agriculture in Europe; with hints for removing the circumstances that have chiefly obstructed its progress. 1779, 4 volumes.
  • The interest of Great Britain, with regard to her American Colonies, considered. 1782.
  • The true interest of Great Britain considered; or a proposal for establishing the Northern British Fisheries. 1783.
  • An account of the present state of the Hebrides and Western Coasts, of Scotland; being the substance of a report to the Lords of the Treasury. Edinburgh 1785.
  • Observations on Slavery; particularly with a view of its effects on the British Colonies in the West Indies. Manchester 1789, 4 volumes.
  • Papers drawn up by him and sir John Sinclair, in reference to a report of a committee of the Highland Society on Shetland Wool. 1790, 8 volumes.
  • The Bee; Consisting of essays, philosophical, philological, and miscellaneous. 18 volumes. Edinburgh 1791–1794.
  • Observations on the effect of the coal duty. Edinburgh 1792, 8 volumes.
  • Thoughts on the privileges and power of Juries; with observations on the present state, of the country with regard to credit. Edinburgh 1793, 8 volumes.
  • Remarks on the Poor Laws in Scotland. Edinburgh 1793, 4 volumes.
  • A practical treatise on Peat Moss, in two essays. 1794, 8 volumes.
  • A general view of the Agriculture and rural economy of the county of Aberdeen; with observations on the means of its improvement. Chiefly drawn up for the Board of Agriculture; in two parts. Edinburgh 1794, 8 volumes.
  • An account of the different kinds of Sheep found in the Russian dominions, & c. By Dr. Pallas; with five appendixes, by Dr. Anderson. Edinburgh, 1794, 8 volumes.
  • On to Universal Character. In two letters to Edward Home, esq. Edinburgh 1795, 8 volumes.
  • A practical treatise on draining Bogs and swampy grounds; with cursory remarks on the originality of Elkington's mode of Draining. 1797, 8 volumes.
  • Recreations in Agriculture, Natural History, and Miscellaneous Literature. 6 volumes. 1799-1802.
  • Selections from his own correspondence with general Washington. London, 1800, 8 volumes.
  • A calm investigation of the circumstances that have led to the present Scarcity of Grain in Britain; suggesting the means of alleviating that evil, and of preventing the recurrence of such a calamity in future. London, 1801, 8 volumes.
  • A description of a patent hot-house, which operates chiefly by the heat of the sun; and other subjects. London, 1803, 8 volumes.
  • An account of the ancient monuments and fortifications in the Highlands of Scotland; read in the Society of Antiquaries. 1777 and 1780.
  • On the antiquity of Woolen manufactures of England. Ghent. Mag. Aug. 1778.
  • A letter to J. Burnett, esq. on the present state of Aberdeenshire, in regard to provisions. 1783.
  • A letter to Henry Laurens, esq. during his confinement in the Tower, Public Advertiser. December 6, 1781.
  • Various articles for the Encyclopædia Britannica. first edition, Edinburgh.

literature

  • The General Biographical Dictionary. New Edition, revised and enlarged by Alexander Chalmers ( archive.org ).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Surroundings of Hermiston (map). ( Memento from June 1, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
  2. ↑ Karl Marx: Theories about the surplus value . MEW 26.2, p. 107 f.
  3. ↑ John Gray: The essential principles of the wealth of nations: illustrated, in opposition to some false doctrines of Adam Smith, and others ... (1797)
  4. ↑ Karl Marx: Theories about the surplus value. MEW 26.1, p. 358.
personal data
SURNAME Anderson of Hermiston, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Scottish agronomist writer
DATE OF BIRTH January 17, 1739
PLACE OF BIRTH Hermiston near Edinburgh
DATE OF DEATH October 15, 1808