New-York tribune., 1907-10-08
DAVID MASON.
Edinburgh. Oct David Mason. Historiog-
Tapher Royal for Scotland. is dead.

rapher Royal for Scotland. is dead
David Mason was a native OF Aberdeen Scot
land. where he was born on December 3 1922 and
where he received his education at MarischaI Col
lege and University before entering the University
of Edinburgh While only in his twentieth year
he undertook the edtorship of a newspaper in
Aberdeen where he remained until 1874 In that
year after visit Of several months 10 London.
he Wen. to Edinburgh and until 1S47 was engaged
IN contributing 10 various publications and doing
special work for publishers. He then moved to
London where he made his home for eighteen
years continuing there his literary activities
In 1883 upon the resignation Of Professor CIough
Or. Mason was appointed in his place 70 the
chair OF English language and literature in Univer-
sity College. London, and in 1888 he became in ad-
ditiOn. the editor of "Macmillans Magazine'-pub-
licaton OF which suspended only last week
TO which. both before and especially after
that time he was frequent contributor. From
these two posts no retired in 1855 accept an
appointment professor OF rhetoric and English
literature at Edinburgh University He occupied
this chair for thirty years, but reIinquished its
duties two years after his designation histori-
ographer royal for Scotland in 1898. and was ap-
pointed professor emeritus. He also held the ap-
pointment Of honorary professor OF ancient utera-
ture in the Royal Scottish Academy. He had re-
ceived the honorary degrees of doctor of laws and
doctor of literature. His wife was Miss Rosaline
Orme, eldest daughter OF the late Charles Ornne
In the course of long and Industrious literary
me- Dr. Mason wrote many books which are
considered standards, ana almost innumerable
essays and articles for periodicals an encycIo-
padias including the British and ENGLISH"
usually upon torics relating to literature
His Essays, Biographical and Critical. Chiefly
on English Fcets' first published in 1885, was re-
printed, Wit editions. in three volumes. IN 1874
ono OF which. specially entitled "Chatterton:
Story OF the Year 1770.' reissued in a new and
revised edition in 1899. In 1883 he brought out the
first volume of his classic. Life of John Milton
Narrated in Connection with the Political, Ecce-
siastical and Literary History of the Time" the
sixth and final volume of which did not appear
until twenty-five years later. British Novelists
and Their Styles: A Critical Sketch of the History
OF British Prose Writer'S followed in 1852 and
Recent British Philosophy Review. with Criti-
cism, Including Some Remarks Mr.. AIillss An
swer 10 Sir w. Hamilton in 1850. This volume
explanation of some lectures delivered at
the Royal Institution.
Noteworthy among his other books are Drum
rlond OF Hawthornden, tho Story Of His Life and
Writings OS70: Carlyle Personally and in His
Writings QSS5); DE Quincy in the English
Men OF Letter Series Gss5 and Edinburgh Sketches
and Memories uS92).
Professor Masson's scholarship less con-
spcuous In his editorial work than his writings
He prepared the Cambridge Edition in three vol
umes of Millions Poetical Works, with introduce
tions, Notes and Essay Miltons English"
and the smaller Golden Treasury Edition in two
Volumes with introductions. notes and a memoir
both appearing in 1874 He also edited DE Quin-
cey's Collected Works. IN fourteen volumes. and
between 1880 and 1889 he prepared for publication
thirteen volumes QII-XVO of the Register of the
Pryy Council of Scotland" covering the years from
1878 to 1922 writing the introductions the sep
arate volumes