Dugald Stewart Monument

Dugald Stewart Monument

The Dugald Stewart Monument is a memorial to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stewart (1753–1828). It is situated on top of Calton Hill, overlooking Edinburgh city centre.

Dugald Stewart was a Professor of the University of Edinburgh, holding the chair of moral philosophy from 1786 until his death. The Royal Society of Edinburgh commissioned the monument, and selected the site. The monument was built in 1831 to the design of architect William Henry Playfair, who modelled his design on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, Greece. This example of the architecture of ancient Greece had been brought to wider attention by James "Athenian" Stuart and Nicholas Revett's illustrated survey, The Antiquities of Athens, published in 1762. The Choragic Monument also provided the model for the nearby Robert Burns Monument, designed by Thomas Hamilton around the same time. The monument forms part of a collection of Greek revival architecture in the area, including the National Monument and the former Royal High School building. The monument is a category A listed building.

180° panorama of the Edinburgh skyline at dusk in early October from Calton Hill, Dugald Stewart Monument

References

• "Dugald Stewart's Monument, Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=27835. Retrieved 2009-10-27. 

Coordinates: 55°57′19″N 3°10′56″W / 55.95528°N 3.18222°W / 55.95528; -3.18222