Talk:Archibald Alison (author)

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Different sources name different father

The DNB names " Patrick Alison, provost of Edinburgh" as AA's father, however the Biographical annals of the parish of Colinton (Thomas Murray; Edmonston and Douglas, 1863) says that AA was "the son of Mr Andrew Alison, a member of the Merchant Company, who was twice (1760 and 1763) one of the magistrates of that city".

The 'Biographical annals of the parish of Colinton' article appears to form the basis of the entry in 'A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen':

• "ALISON, REV. ARCHIBALD, M.A., LL.B., this distinguished writer on "Taste," whose works procured him a high reputation among the foremost literary judges of his day, was born in Edinburgh, A.D. 1757, and was the son of Mr. Andrew Alison, one of the magistrates of that city."

So, who is more reliable? The DNB, or Thomas Murray? My money is on Murray, as he probably actually knew AA personally.

By the way, James Boswell wrote of Mr Andrew Alison in the Scots Magazine, describing him as a "wine-merchant". --Mais oui! (talk) 09:17, 27 December 2010 (UTC)