Alexander Campbell Fraser (Circa 1890)

Sir George Reid

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Artist Sir George Reid (Scottish b.1841, d.1913)
Title Alexander Campbell Fraser
Date Circa 1890
Period 19th century ; 1890s
Description Three quarter length, in doctor's robes, left hand resting on open book upon his knee, right hand on very high arm of chair, producing a somewhat angular composition. Campbell Fraser was educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, where he studied logic and metaphysics under Sir William Hamilton and divinity under Dr. Chalmers. Ordained Minister of the Free Church in 1844, he was appointed to the Chair of Logic and Metaphysics in the Free Church Theological College two years later. After a severe contest with Ferrier he was elected to the University Chair in 1856. He resigned in 1891. Campbell Fraser was an authority on Berkeley and Locke. His reputation as a philosopher had been established with the publication of several essays, two of which attracted the attention of the Clarendon Press, who asked him to edit Berkeley's works. The discovery of a commonplace book belonging to Berkeley and further unpublished material, together with Fraser's meticulous editing, made the appearance of the 'Works' and the companion volume, 'Life and Letters', a landmark in the history of English philosophy. The 'Selections from Berkeley', intended for the use of University students, came out in 1874. After assessing the position of Berkeley still more definitely in the volume of Blackwood's series, he turned his attention to Locke and gave the results of his researches in a new edition of 'Essay concerning Human Understanding' and a second volume in the Blackwood's series. All this time Fraser had been developing his own philosophy, which first found expression in the Gifford Lectures of 1894-1895, 'The Philosophy of Theism', and was further expounded in 'Biographia Philosophica', his autobiography. Though Professor Fraser took an active part in the adminstrative affairs of the Unviersity, showing his ability as a man of business during his long Deanship, it was as a teacher that he rendered his finest service to his alma mater. His stimulating teaching and provocative lecturing awakened the philosophical interest in his students, many of whom became philosophers and teachers of philosophy. In every respect he maintained the standard set by his brilliant predecessor, Sir William Hamilton. His work is appropriately commemorated in the Scholarship in Philosophy which bears his name.
Material canvas (textile material)/textile materials/materials (substances) ; oil paint (paint)/paint (coating)
Dimensions 127 x 101.6 cm
Type Painting
Collection Art Collection
Classification oil paintings (visual works) ; paintings 1801-1900 ; portrait
Signature Top right ''R ''
Accession Number EU0035



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