Alexander Crombie

1762-1840

Alexander Crombie was a Presbyterian minister, schoolmaster, philosopher, and essayist. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and moved to London where he served as schoolmaster. In his work on Gymnasium, he presented language rules “intended to assist the Classical Student in his endeavours to attain a correct Latin prose style” (Crombie 1812) and in his work on the Etymology of syntax of the English language, he aims to “assist the classical scholar in attaining a correct acquaintance with English Grammar” (Crombie, 1836, p. v).

Crombie advocated liberal principles, such as civil and religious liberty.

Writings of Alexander Crombie, arranged chronologically

Crombie, Alexander (1793). An essay on philosophical necessity.

Crombie, Alexander (1802). The etymology and syntax of the English language explained and illustrated, 2 vols. London: Samuel Bentley (4th edition, 1836, retrieved, June 24, 2010 from http://books.google.com/books?id=7Ds_AAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=alexander+crombie+syntax&source=bl&ots=5NfJp0XoSx&sig=oq3qtHoLPkLV5skbiaCB6VY-9ck&hl=en&ei=DJsjTLKVN4O88gbk4aC5BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Crombie, Alexander (1812). Gymnasium sive, symbola critica, 2 vols (1812)

Crombie, Alexander (1816) Letters on the present state of the agricultural interest addressed to Charles Forbes, Esq. M.P. London.

Crombie, Alexander (1817). A few cursory observations, in reply to the strictures of the Reverend Mr. Gilchrist in his rational grammar on a treatise on English etymology and syntax.

Crombie, Alexander (1817). A letter to D. Ricardo, Esq. containing an analysis of his pamphlet on the depreciation of bank notes.

Crombie, Alexander (1819). Letters from Dr. James Gregory of Edinburgh, in defence of his Essay on the difference of the relation between Motive and Action and that of Cause and Effect in Physic, with Replies by the Rev. Alexander Crombie, LL.D. Retrieved on June 24, 2010 from http://books.google.com/books?id=3XpHAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Alexander+Crombie&source=bl&ots=14ky2J13ea&sig=tXzuNMGwsaibhT-43Nj4Swym2IE&hl=en&ei=lZkjTPKyLIH78Abm6rXIBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false

Crombie, Alexander (1829) Natural theology; or Essays on the existence of the deity, and of providence, on the immateriality of the Soul, and a future state, 2 vols.

Crombie, Alexander (1832) A Letter to Lieut. Col. Torrens, M.P. in answer to his Address to the farmers of the United Kingdom

Crombie, Alexander (1834). The strike, or, A dialogue between Andrew Plowman and John Treadle.

Crombie, Alexander (1837). A Letter to Henry William Tancred, Esq, MP, on the ballot

Crombie, Alexander (1838).A Letter to George Grote, Esq., M.P. on the Ballot

Crombie, Alexander (1838). A pamphlet on the ballot.

Crombie, Alexander (1839). Letters to W. E Gladstone (British Library Add 44356 ff 233, 237)