Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Anderson, Walter

by no contributor recorded

ANDERSON, WALTER (d. 1800), historian, was for fifty years minister of Chirnside, Berwickshire. He was the author of a rare (anonymous) book (said to have been suggested in joke by Hume), ‘The History of Crœsus, King of Lydia, in four parts, containing observations (1) on the Ancient Notions of Destiny; (2) on Dreams; (3) on the Origin and Credit of Oracles; (4) and the Principles on which their Responses were defended against any attack,’ 12mo, 1755. It is chiefly a translation from Herodotus, with a serious discussion of the inspiration of oracles. It was ridiculed in the first ‘Edinburgh Review,’ and in Smollett's ‘Critical Review.’ In 1769 he published a history of France under Francis II and Charles IX, in 1775 a continuation to the edict of Nantes, and in 1783 another to the peace of Munster. Each book, it is said, was paid for by the sale of a house. In 1791 he published a volume on the ‘Philosophy of Ancient Greece,’ said to show reading and an improved style. He died 31 Aug. 1800 at Chirnside.

[Burton in S.D.U.K. Dict.; Anderson's Scottish Nation; Chalmers's Biog. Dict.; Gent. Mag. lxx. 999.]