Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How was David Hume received by Parisian society?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
David Hume
Scottish philosopher David Hume, oil on canvas by Allan Ramsay, 1766; in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
When David Hume arrived in Paris in 1763 to serve as secretary to the British embassy, he was warmly embraced by Parisian society. Despite his ungainly appearance and gauche manner, he was highly celebrated for his profound learning, the acuteness of his thought, and the elegance of his writing.1
The city's salons opened their doors to him, and he was widely honored and taken to heart for his simple goodness and cheerful nature. During his time in France, he was so well-regarded that he even served as chargé d’affaires at the embassy for four months in 1765.1