What did Hume write in the Footnote?
Content warning: This page contains language and themes of historic racism. If you find the topics discussed to be personally impactful we encourage you to visit the Theatre of the Oppressed Scotland website for a list of resources that may provide support.
Through conversation we discovered that although some people knew Hume said something racist not many understood what the footnote actually said, even fewer knew it had been revised and even fewer understood that it was at odds with some of his other writings.
The infamous footnote first appeared in a revised version of his essay On National Characters where he lays out his views on race. It is hard to consider the footnote and what it might have caused without reading what is said and how it changed in the different versions.
While living at Riddles Court in Edinburgh, Hume added a footnote to the essay On National Characters which had first been published in 1748. Unlike today, in the mid-eighteenth century footnotes were often where key ideas and arguments were highlighted.
The version first published in 1753 is below:
“I am apt to suspect the negroes and in general all the other species of men (for there are four or five different kinds) to be naturally inferior to the whites. There never was a civilized nation of any other complexion than white, nor even any individual eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the most rude and barbarous of the whites, such as the ancient Germans, the present Tartars, have still something eminent about them, in their valour, form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had not made an original distinction betwixt these breeds of men. Not to mention our colonies, there are Negroe slaves dispersed all over Europe, of which none ever discovered any symptoms of ingenuity; tho' low people, without education, will start up amongst us, and distinguish themselves in every profession. In Jamaica indeed they talk of one negroe as a man of parts and learning; but ‘tis likely he is admired for very slender accomplishments, like a parrot, who speaks a few words plainly.”
Below is the revised 1777 version, with changes noted:
“I am apt to suspect the negroes and in general all other species of men (for there are four or five different kinds) to be naturally inferior to the whites. There never scarcely ever was a civilised nation of any other complexion than white that complexion, nor even any individual eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the most rude and barbarous of the whites, such as the ancient Germans, the present Tartars, have still something eminent about them, in their valour, form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had not made an original distinction between these breeds of men. Not to mention our colonies, there are Negroe slaves dispersed all over Europe, of whom none ever discovered any symptoms of ingenuity; though low people, without education, will start up amongst us, and distinguish themselves in every profession. In Jamaica, indeed, they talk of one negroe as a man of parts and learning; but it is likely he is admired for very slender accomplishments, like a parrot, who speaks a few words plainly.”
Despite this change, due to choices by the publishers following Hume’s death the original version of the footnote continued to be the most commonly found, with it cited by thinkers such as Immanuel Kant who used it to justify further racial theories.
Historians have identified the ‘parrot’ as Francis Williams, a Jamaican polymath who was rejected for membership of the Royal Society “on account of his complexion”. He was noted for his verification of the return of Halley’s Comet over Jamaica in 1759.
Who wrote it: David Hume, the Scottish philosopher and historian, who was in his earlier forties at the time. He had recently spent several years working as a tutor to the Marquess of Annandale and later travelled Europe as secretary to General James St Clair. As a young man, he spent several years in England and in France as he developed his initial philosophical theories.
When was it written: The first version was written around 1752/3 in Edinburgh, and was published in 1753. The original essay had been published in 1748. At the time, Hume had not yet found international fame or wealth, which he would eventually find through his historical writings. In 1753, with the support of his patron Lord Kames, Hume secured the position as Librarian to the Advocate’s Library.
Where was it written: In Edinburgh, which Hume had returned to in 1751. At this time he was living in Riddles Court, which is just off the Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile. Nearby, several Black people are noted as having worked, in most cases against their will, including children. At the time, Edinburgh was growing in wealth and status as a hub of commerce and intellectual activity, partially as a result of the profits of triangular trading.
Throughout this project conversations have considered why was it written, what has it caused, and does it matter today? This project has been about giving people the opportunity and space to think about things that shaped Scotland’s capital and the wider world.
