Pedigrees

Just finished a biography of Robert Hamilton Bishop, the first president of Miami University of Ohio (founded 1809). Bishop lived an interesting life in interesting times and it's fun to construct the "intellectual family trees" of great men - noting who influenced who and how ideas were handed down. (I recently read that there was a straight line from Luther to Hitler but that seems to be taking it a bridge too far.) Bishop was primarily influenced by Adam Ferguson:

Ferguson, Adam , 1723–1816, Scottish philosopher and historian. He was professor of philosophy at the Univ. of Edinburgh (1759–85). His Essay on the History of Civil Society (1767) criticized earlier theories of a state of nature; it was an important contribution to intellectual history and influenced Hegel. In his Principles of Moral and Political Science (1792), Ferguson advanced the principle of perfection and attempted to reconcile self-interest and universal benevolence...In his ethical system Ferguson treats man as a social being, illustrating his doctrines by political examples. As a believer in the progression of the human race, he placed the principle of moral approbation in the attainment of perfection..."We find in his method the wisdom and circumspection of the Scottish school, with something more masculine and decisive in the results. The principle of perfection is a new one, at once more rational and comprehensive than benevolence and sympathy, which in our view places Ferguson as a moralist above all his predecessors."

One of Ferguson's influences was French political philosopher Montesquieu, especially his Esprit des Lois (1748):

By far, [Montesquieu's] most influential work is The Spirit of the Laws (1748). Two main ideas are presented in this analysis concerning the nature and workings of government. His first assertion is that forms of government will invariably differ according to the political and social climate and circumstances which they have to deal with. He concluded from analysis that despotic rule is best in large empires as to maintain control and order, especially those in the "hot climates." As for democracy, he concluded that small city-states would be the best situation for it, because it would be Senk simpler to maintain and govern, with general agreement of the populace being easier to achieve. His second assertion, the most important of the treatise, is the fact that a balance and separation of powers is needed for an efficient and successful government.