George Turnbull
1698-1748
George Turnbull was a philosopher and theologian, and one of the earliest figures in the Scottish Enlightenment.
George Turnbull was born in the small burgh of Allo, in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, on July 11th 1698. He began his higher-education in 1711, at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied divinity, graduating in 1721. His two leaving theses indicated that he was the first Scottish academic to publish works arguing in favor of the Newtonian method for moral philosophy.
Throughout his studies, George Turnbull was a member of the Rankenian Club, a circle of contemporary Scottish intellectuals. While there, he became close associates with several thinkers, including William Wishart and John Tollad, who both helped him with his arguments and interest in a rational-based form of Christianity. His correspondences eventually led him to publish several theological and moral philosophy works during the 1730s and 1740s.
George Turnbull also held several teaching and tutoring positions throughout his academic life. Soon after graduating George Turnbull was made regent at the Marischal College in Aberdeen. While holding the position he was considered to be a popular teacher and worked with future influential academics like Thomas Reid. Upon his resignation, George Turnbull worked as a tutor for the Udney family until 1727. He followed the position with several years of travel through Europe and more private tutoring roles. Although George Turnbull gave up teaching for a short while, financial difficulties forced him to resume the role in the late 1730 and tutores the son of Lord Rockingham in Italy. He later was ordained by the bishop of Winchester, and served as chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
George Turnbull passed away on January 31st 1748.