David Hume died aged 65. David Hume was born on April 26, 1711. Discover who shares a birthday with David Hume, plus his life highlights.
How old was David Hume when he died?
David Hume died aged 65. He was born on 26 April 1711 and died on 25 August 1776.
Born: 26 April 1711 · Died: 25 August 1776 · Age at death: 65
David Hume was the great sceptic of the Scottish Enlightenment, asking uncomfortable questions about how we know anything at all. He argued that our belief in cause and effect comes from habit, not from reason, an idea that woke the philosopher Immanuel Kant from what he called his 'dogmatic slumber'. He also claimed that reason alone cannot drive us to act, and that emotions guide our choices. His writings on religion, miracles and morality were bold for his time. He was also a popular historian, whose History of England was a bestseller.
Key Milestones
1739: A Treatise of Human Nature – first volumes published
1748: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
1752: Keeper of the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh
1754: History of England – first volume
“Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.” — David Hume
Last reviewed: October 2026
David Hume was born in Edinburgh on 26 April 1711 (7 May in today's calendar) and entered the University of Edinburgh as a boy. He decided early to devote himself to philosophy.
A Treatise of Human Nature, his earliest big book, was written in his twenties but received little attention. He later reworked its ideas in more readable books, including An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.
His six-volume History of England brought him fame and financial security. A close friend of Adam Smith, he died in Edinburgh in 1776, remaining calm and cheerful about death to the end.
When is David Hume's birthday? David Hume's birthday is April 26. He was born on April 26, 1711 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
How old was David Hume when he died? David Hume died on August 25, 1776, aged 65.
Who shares a birthday with David Hume? Famous people who share David Hume's April 26 birthday include Marcus Aurelius, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Eugène Delacroix, Jet Li and Melania Trump.
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David Hume — Age & Birthday