This biography investigates the life and intellectual development of the eighteenth-century philosopher David Hume to determine how his personal experiences shaped his contributions to epistemology and skepticism. Ernest Campbell Mossner, a preeminent scholar on the subject, utilizes extensive archival research and primary source correspondence to construct a comprehensive portrait of Hume. The work argues that Hume’s philosophical output cannot be separated from the social and intellectual climate of the Scottish Enlightenment. By synthesizing biographical detail with critical analysis of Hume's writings, Mossner provides a framework for understanding the evolution of one of history's most influential thinkers.

Experts and scholars consistently identify this work as the foundational biography for any serious study of David Hume. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a definitive resource for historians and philosophers alike.