David Hume (1711-1776), philosopher, historian and essayist, is widely considered to be one of Britain's greatest philosophers. A leading intellectual figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, his major works and central ideas, especially his radical empiricism and his critique of the pretensions of philosophical rationalism, remain hugely influential on contemporary philosophers. This comprehensive and accessible guide to his life and work includes 21 specially commissioned essays, written by a team of leading experts, covering every aspect of his thought, details of his life, and the historical and philosophical context in which he lived and worked.