My Own Life
A very brief autobiography presents a man of letters through education, publications, employment, social relations and his final months.
Understanding the text
Written in 1776 and published in 1777, it is often accompanied by Adam Smith’s letter describing Hume’s death.
Key points
- 01
Author
The career is organized around literary work and the reception of books.
- 02
Tone
Restraint and irony construct a portrait to compare with other testimony.
- 03
Death
The account claims a serenity that enters contemporary controversies about religion and morality.
How to read it
Distinguish Hume’s text from Smith’s letter. Autobiography is an essential source, but its selection of events and retrospective judgments always require examination.
Editions & sources
Summaries and key points are original editorial interpretations. They accompany reading the work and do not replace an edition of the text. Editorial method ↗