HUME, -JOHN. See HOME, Join.
HUME, .TosErn (1777-1855). A British political reformer, born January 22. 1777, at se, Scotland. Ile was educated in the local schools of Montrose. and at the age of thirteen was apprenticed to an apothecary. He studied medicine, was admitted in 1796 a mem ber of the College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and became assistant surgeon in the marine service of the East India Company. Ile applied himself to the native languages. and during the Mahratta War, from 18n2 to 1807. filled the office of Per sian interpreter to the army. He also discharged ditties connected with the prize ageneies and the commissariat. and arrived in England in 1808, with a fortune of £30,000 or f tn.nno. Tie spent some years in travel and study, and published a blank-verse translation of Dante's Inferno in 1812. By purchase he entered the Notre of Corn mons in 1812 as Tory member of Parliament for the Borough of Weymouth and Meleombe Regis. In 1818 he was elected for the Aberdeen district of burghs, comprehending his native town of Mon trose. In I5:t0 he had gained such distinction as it
radical reformer that he was returned unopposed as I file of the members for Middlesex, which he represented until 1837. I II 1812 lie Was again chosen for his native burgh. Montrose, and re mained until his death in the service of his lellow • townsmen. As leader of the ltadieal Party in the House of Commons. he usually found himself in active conflict with both Whig and Tory governments, and at first was treated with con temptuous tolerative. lie discovered the wide spread conspiracy of the Orange lodges to make the Duke of Cumberland king at. 1\ illiam death, and a tardy but sincere homage was paid to his integrity and public services by Sir Rob ert. Peel and other political opponents. He held various piddle offices, was a prominent member and leader of several notable societies, and was twice (levied lord reetor of Aberdeen Univer sity. He died February 20, 1858.