WATSON, ROBERT, LL. D., an elegant historian, was born at St Andrews, about the year 1730. He was the son of an apothecary of that place, who was also a brewer. Having gone through the usual course of languages and philosophy at the school and university of his native country, and also entered on the study of divinity, a desire of being acquainted with a larger circle of literature, and of improving himself in every branch of knowledge, called him, first to the university of Glasgow, and afterwards to that of Edinburgh. The period of theological studies at the universities of Scotland is four years; but during that period, young men of ingenious minds find sufficient leisure to carry on and advance the pursuits of general knowledge. Mr Watson pursued his studies with assiduity. Few men ever studied more constantly. It was a rule with him to study eight hours every day; and this rule he observed during the whole course of his life. An acquaintance with the polite writers of England, after the union of the two kingdoms, became general in Scotland; and in Watson's younger years, an emulation began to
prevail of writing pure and elegant English. He applied himself with great industry to the principles of philosophical or universal grammar; and by a combination of these with the authority of the best English writers, formed a course of lectures on style or language. He proceeded to the study of rhetoric or eloquence, the principles of which he endeavoured to trace to the nature of the human mind. He delivered a course of lectures in Edinburgh on these subjects, and met with the countenance, approbation, and friendship of Lord Kames, Mr Hume, with other men of genius and learning.
At this time he had become a licentiate; and a vacancy having happened in one of the churches of St Andrews, he offered himself a candidate for that living, but was disappointed. Soon after he was appointed professor of logic; and he also obtained a patent from the crown, constituting him professor of rhetoric and belles lettres. The study of logic in St Andrews, as in most other places, was at this time confined to syllogisms, modes, and figures. Watson, whose mind had been opened by conversation, and by reading the writings of the wits that had begun to flourish in the Scottish capital, prepared and read to his students a course of metaphysics and logics on the most enlightened plan; in which he analysed the powers of the mind, and entered deeply into the nature of the different species of evidence of truth or knowledge. By his History of the Reign of Philip II. King of Spain, published at London in 1777, in 2 vols. 4to, Dr Watson attained in his lifetime a considerable degree of celebrity; and his History of the Reign of Philip III., published after his death, added to his fame. Of this last performance, however, he has only completed the first four books; the two last were written by Dr Thomson, at the desire of the guardians of his children. Lond. 1783, 4to.
Dr Watson was appointed principal of United College on the death of Dr Tulideph, but he only enjoyed this preferment for a few years. He married a lady of singular beauty and virtue, the daughter of Dr Shaw, professor of divinity in St Mary's College. By this lady he had five daughters, who survived him. He died in the year 1780.