I’ve always been fascinated by philosophers who didn’t just think about life but lived it in ways that challenged convention. David Hume is one of those figures who defies the stereotype of the dusty, isolated thinker. Sure, he’s known for his skepticism and empiricism, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a man who lived with surprising flair — and more than a few quirks.

## He Was a Terrible Job Candidate (But Still Got Hired)

David Hume applied for a professorship at Edinburgh University in the 1740s. On paper, he should have been a shoo-in — he’d already written A Treatise of Human Nature, a foundational text in philosophy. But rumors swirled that he was irreligious, and that was enough to raise eyebrows in 18th-century Scotland. The backlash was so strong that the university quietly dropped the offer rather than face public outcry. Still, Hume landed on his feet, eventually becoming librarian to the Faculty of Advocates — a job that gave him access to one of the best libraries in Britain and helped him write many of his most important works.

## He Was Accused of Heresy (But Laughed It Off)

Hume’s philosophical views were considered dangerous at the time — especially his writings on religion. He was accused of heresy more than once, and even faced calls for prosecution. But instead of backing down, Hume responded with his trademark wit. When a particularly zealous critic tried to have him censured, Hume reportedly quipped that he would be “very much obliged to him, if he would please to burn me.”

## He Designed His Own Tomb

Long before his death in 1776, Hume took a keen interest in how he would be remembered — so much so that he personally designed the structure that would hold his remains. His tomb, located in the Old Calton Cemetery in Edinburgh, is a modest yet elegant monument shaped like a Roman urn. He didn’t want grandeur or ostentation, just a simple, classical design that reflected his love of antiquity and reason.

## He Was a Best-Selling Historian

While Hume is best known today as a philosopher, in his own time, he was more famous as a historian. His The History of England, a six-volume work published between 1754 and 1762, was a massive commercial success. It was widely read across Britain and the American colonies — even influencing figures like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. What made it so popular? Hume’s narrative was lively, his judgments sharp, and his prose elegant — not what you’d expect from a historian today, but perfect for the Enlightenment reader.

## He Was a Close Friend of Adam Smith

Hume and Adam Smith were not just intellectual peers — they were genuine friends. Smith once said that Hume was “almost the only author, whose works, after their first publication, I regularly and carefully read.” Their friendship was built on mutual respect and shared ideas about liberty, commerce, and human nature. Hume even helped Smith edit some of his early writings, and when Hume died, Smith became his literary executor — a role he accepted with deep reverence.

## He Died with Peace and Humor

Even in death, Hume remained true to himself. Diagnosed with a painful digestive illness in his final years, he faced his fate with characteristic calm and wit. He wrote to friends with a kind of philosophical cheerfulness, describing his condition as “a very slow fever.” When a clergyman visited him and asked if he had any hope of salvation, Hume replied, “I never had any such fear.” His final days were spent entertaining visitors and even playing cards, as if reminding everyone that life — and death — are best met with grace and a little humor.

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If you’re curious to hear more about Hume’s wit, his views on religion, or how he really felt about his own legacy, you can chat with him directly on HoloDream. He’s got a lot more to say — and yes, he’ll probably mention those pigeons he used to keep on his estate.