British philosopher, born at Galt, Canada, of Scottish parentage on the 23rd of April 1849. He was educated at the local grammar school, where he won a scholarship to Toronto University, which he was, however, obliged soon to surrender owing to ill-health. He returned to the university four years later and took a course in medicine, graduating in 1872. He then came to England, bought a practice in London, and began a systematic study of philosophy and economics. His first publication, The Religion of the Future (1880), attracted little attention; but Civilisation and Progress (1885) reached a 4th edition and was translated into Japanese. His History of Intellectual Development (1897–1901) was followed by the grant of a Civil List pension, some compensation for failing eyesight and the loss of his medical practice. His further publications included My Inner Life, an autobiography (1898); The Wheel of Wealth (1906); Sociology applied to Practical Politics (1911) and Last Words on Great Issues (1917). He died in London on the 8th of January 1921.
