Order received by David Hume forcing removal of his book purchases, 1754 [Library reference:MS.23159, No.16]. Featured with permission of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
David Hume succeeded Thomas Ruddiman as the Keeper of the Library of the Faculty of Advocates when Ruddiman retired in 1752.
As Keeper, Hume acquired works for the Library, but not all of his purchases were approved by the Library curators.
In this document, Hume is ordered by three curators (including the future Lords Monboddo and Hailes) to remove three French works that he purchased.
The works were deemed 'indecent Books & unworthy of a place in a learned Library'.
Read more about Hume in our David Hume treasures display pages.