Biography Hector C. Macpherson

1 biography

1.1 years
1.2 journalism career
1.3 literary achievements
1.4 political interests
1.5 religious interests
1.6 death , legacy

biography
early years

he born in glasgow on 16 october 1851. boy, lived grandparents in alexandria, west dunbartonshire, , when left school @ fourteen joined father in glasgow. did not settle there , when returned grandparent s home, found work in office of dalmonach print works in alexandria. between ages of 18 , 21, embarked on rigorous course of self-education using library of vale of leven mechanics institute in alexandria. began study of thomas carlyle , passed on mill, spencer, arnold , other intellectual giants. @ institute, received prize best essay, entitled natural business relations between employer employed.

in 1876, had series of articles published in local newspaper, dumbarton herald, anonymous character sketches of local clergy. when identity revealed manager of printing works, forced leave job. however, in 1877 had successful interview edinburgh evening news , moved edinburgh thereafter. in 1880, married mary janet copland. son , grandson named hector macpherson, causing confusion. son, hector copland macpherson (1888–1956), church of scotland minister, had books published on astronomy , covenanters , these mistaken father s.

journalism career

1877-94 - journalist edinburgh evening news
1894-1908 - editor of above newspaper
1908-24 - freelance journalist contributing extensively reynold s newspaper among other newspapers.
1913-17 - editor of scottish nation, monthly organ of international scots home rule league of president 4 or 5 years.

literary achievements

macpherson s first literary publication pamphlet entitled right hon. w. e. gladstone: political career, published in june 1892 andrew eliot. gladstone wrote him letter of appreciation result. macpherson corresponded herbert spencer expressed surprise able write book on thomas carlyle while being sympathetic spencer s views. spencer regarded carlyle s work being utterly antagonistic own , said on 1 occasion [carlyle] called me immeasurable ass .

macpherson s son suggests father s own creed blend of may called carlylean , spencerian thought, combining moral fire of 1 scientific orderliness , logical precision of other. gives no further details concerning how remarkable combination achieved. however, macpherson in own thomas carlyle book attempts reconcile disparate views of carlyle , spencer. instance, suggests carlyle s might right view may equated spencer s survival of fittest view.

other works include:

a century of political development (1908)
the church, bible , war (1928)
herbert spencer: man , work
the cameronian philosopher, alexander shields

political interests

macpherson s politics overwhelmingly liberal , gave unstinting support successive liberal governments. argued vehemently against jingoism of rudyard kipling, regarding him foe civilisation pandered innate brutality of anglo-saxon race . in 1901, involved in negotiations in netherlands boer leaders concerning south african war. paul kruger told him didn t blame queen war: rhodes fault.

in 1908, published remarkable 42-page pamphlet entitled gospel of socialism arguing in depth against socialism , communism. winston churchill wrote foreword pamphlet in argues liberalism rather socialism answer. churchill finishes saying: wish reconstruct world. begin leaving out human nature.

religious interests

the simple marker on grave of hector macpherson, grange cemetery, edinburgh

macpherson s son informs father convinced theist. sat loose dogma, , stood freedom of thought in matters theological. ... in private life father devout believer in spiritual realities. firm belief in overruling care of heavenly father , in immortality of soul. him religion , life 1 indivisible whole. religion may summed in real endeavour justly, love mercy, , walk humbly god. macpherson had great interest in history , development of religion in scotland evidenced books below.

death , legacy

macpherson elected fellow of royal society of edinburgh in march 1924, shortly before died. proposers rev thomas burns, sir david paulin, james young simpson, alexander gault , son, hector copland macpherson (who had been elected in 1917).

hector c. macpherson died on 17 october 1924 , buried in grange cemetery in edinburgh.

a simple marker on grave lies in south-west extension main cemetery. wife, mary janet copland (d.1925) lies him. parents hector copland macpherson frse (1888-1955).