David Hume was bom in Edinburgh on 26 April 1711. This 300th anniversary has been celebrated in his native city by an extensive programme of events, lectures and debates organised mainly by the University of Edinburgh. They claim him as 'one of our most distinguished alumni'. Presumably and appropriately they have concentrated on Hume's work, in the words of their programme, as 'perhaps the most important philosopher to write in English, as well as a renowned essayist and historian.'