Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jardine, George
JARDINE, GEORGE (1742–1827), professor of logic at Glasgow, was born in 1742 at Wandel in Lanarkshire, where his paternal ancestors had dwelt for nearly two centuries. His mother was a daughter of Weir of Birkwood, in the parish of Lesmahagow. Jardine was transferred in October 1760 from the parish school to Glasgow College, and after passing with distinction through the arts and divinity courses, was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Linlithgow. In 1770 he went to Paris as tutor to the sons of Baron Mure of Caldwell, who obtained for him from David Hume introductions to Helvetius and D'Alembert. Soon after his return from France in July 1773, he failed to secure election to the chair of humanity at Glasgow by a single vote, but in June 1774 was appointed professor of Greek and assistant professor in logic. In 1787 he became sole professor of logic. Jardine gave a more practical and less metaphysical turn to the teaching of his chair, established a system of daily examination, and bestowed infinite pains upon his classes, which rose from an average of fifty to one of nearly two hundred. He expounded his principles of teaching in his 'Outlines of Philosophical Education,' published at Glasgow, 1818; 2nd edit. 1825. His business powers restored the finances of the college to order. He was one of the founders in 1792, and afterwards for more than twenty years secretary, of the Royal Infirmary at Glasgow. For upwards of thirty years he was the representative of the presbytery of Hamilton in the general assembly. He retired from the chair of logic in 1824, and died on 27 Jan. 1827.
Jardine married in 1776 Miss Lindsay of Glasgow, whom he survived about twelve years. They had one son, John Jardine, advocate, who held the office of sheriff of Ross and Cromarty, and died in 1850.
Chambers's Biog. Dict. of Eminent Scotsmen, ed. Thomson (1868–70); Blackwood's Mag. March 1827.]