Professor James Beattie (October 25, 1735, Laurencekirk—August 18, 1803, Aberdeen) was a Scottish scholar and writer. He was born the son of a shopkeeper and small farmer at Laurencekirk in the Mearns, and educated at Aberdeen University. In 1760, he was appointed Professor of moral philosophy there as a result of the interest of his intimate friend, Robert Arbuthnot of Haddo. In the following year he published a volume of poems, The Judgment of Paris (1765), which attracted attention. The two works, however, which brought him most fame were: Beattie was prominent in arguing against the institution of slavery, notably in his Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth and Elements of Moral Science.[1] Beattie underwent much domestic sorrow in the death of his wife and two promising sons, which broke down his own health and spirits.