Christopher Berry is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Glasgow, UK, and the author of five books: Social theory of the Scottish Enlightenment (Edinburgh, 1997); The idea of luxury: a conceptual and historical analysis (Cambridge, 1994); The idea of democratic community (Wheatsheaf, 1989); Human nature (Macmillan, 1986); and Hume, Hegel and human nature (Martinus Nijhoff, 1982).

"The volumes in this timely series comprise the most comprehensive body of material on conservative and libertarian thought yet published in a single project devoted to the subject. The series will prove an indispensable tool not only for those concerned with the history of political thought but also for those who confront the challenging task of constructing a viable contemporary conservative identity. Professor Meadowcroft had a difficult editorial task, to which he has responded with a judicious choice of thinkers and topics." -- Noel O'Sullivan, Professor of Political Philosophy, the University of Hull, UK.

• 1. Hume: A life of Letters / 2. Hume's Thought / 3. Reception and Influence / 4. Hume and Conservatism / Bibliography / Index