Masson , David Mather , 1822-1907 , biographer, university teacher and editor Carlyle , Thomas , 1795-1881 , historian and philosopher

Masson , David Mather , 1822-1907 , biographer, university teacher and editor Carlyle , Thomas , 1795-1881 , historian and philosopher

David Mather Masson was born in Aberdeen and educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, and the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a journalist in Scotland and London for several years, becoming acquainted with many leading literary figures. Masson became Professor of English at University College London in 1852 and Professor of Rhetoric and Literature at the University of Edinburgh in 1865, holding the latter position until his retirement in 1895. He became well-known as an editor and biographer and was named historiographer-royal for Scotland in 1893. He was also a noted supporter of tertiary education for women.

Thomas Carlyle was born in Ecclefechan, Annandale, Scotland on 4 December 1795. Brought up as a strict Calvinist, he was educated at the village school, Annan Academy and Edinburgh University (1809-1814) where he studied science and mathematics. After graduating from university he became a teacher at Kirkcaldy. In 1818 he moved to Edinburgh where he worked on translating German authors. Whilst in Edinburgh he also wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia and the Edinburgh Review. After spending two years in Edinburgh he moved to an isolated hill farm, Graigenputtoch, Dumfriesshire. At Graigenputtoch he worked on the Sartor Resartus, which was published in 1836. Carlyle moved to Chelsea, London in 1834, where he continued to give lectures, write articles, essays and books on many subjects including, history, philosophy and politics. He also contributed essays to the Westminster Review. Carlyle died age 85 in London on 5 February 1881.