City Readers Digital Historic Collections at the New York Society Library

Adam Ferguson FRSE (in Scottish Gaelic: Adhamh MacFhearghais) also known as Ferguson of Raith (20 June 1723 (O.S.) (1 July, N.S.) – 22 February 1816) was a Scottish philosopher and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment. Ferguson was sympathetic to traditional societies, such as the Highlands, for producing courage and loyalty. He criticized commercial society as making men weak, dishonourable and unconcerned for their community. Ferguson has been called "the father of modern sociology"; he did contribute to the initial development of the subject. His most well known work is his Essay on the History of Civil Society.