Old Photograph David Mather Masson Scotland

Old photograph of David Mather Masson in Edinburgh, Scotland. David, born 2 December 1822, died 6 October 1907, was a Scottish literary critic and historian. He was born in Aberdeen, and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen. Intending to enter the Church, he proceeded to Edinburgh University, where he studied theology under Dr Thomas Chalmers, with whom he remained friendly until the latter's death in 1847. However, abandoning his aspirations to the ministry, be returned to Aberdeen to undertake the editorship of the Banner, a weekly paper devoted to the advocacy of Free Kirk principles. In 1852 he was appointed professor of English literature at University College, London, England. In 1865 he was selected for the chair of rhetoric and English literature at Edinburgh. When he first arrived in Edinburgh in 1865, Masson lived in Rosebery Crescent, then he lived at 10 Regent Terrace from 1869 to 1882 before moving to Great King Street. Among the friends who used to visit him were the famous philosopher John Stuart Mill and the historian Thomas Carlyle. J.M. Barrie was a student of Masson, and Massie is credited with being the future dramatist's literary mentor. David married Emily Rosaline Orme in London on 17 August 1854. Their son, David Orme Masson, became the first Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and their daughter Rosaline was known as a writer and novelist.



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