Editing Alexander Bain (philosopher) (section)

==Early life and education==

Alexander Bain was born in [[Aberdeen]], north Scotland, to George Bain, a weaver and veteran soldier, and Margaret Paul. At age eleven he left school to work as a [[weaver (occupation)|weaver]]<ref>Kunitz, p. 30</ref> hence the description of him as Weevir, ''rex philosophorum''. He also attended lectures at the [[Mechanics' Institutes]] of Aberdeen and the [[Central Library, Aberdeen|Aberdeen Public Library]].

In 1836 he entered [[Marischal College]] where he came under the influence of Professor of Mathematics John Cruickshank, Professor of [[Chemistry]] Thomas Clark and Professor of [[Natural Philosophy]] William Knight. Towards the end of his undergraduate degree he became a contributor to the ''[[Westminster Review]]'' with his first article entitled "Electrotype and Daguerreotype," published in September 1840. This was the beginning of his connection with [[John Stuart Mill]], which led to a lifelong friendship. He was awarded the Blue Ribbon and also the Gray Mathematical Bursary. His college career and studies were distinguished especially in [[Philosophy of mind|mental philosophy]], mathematics and [[physics]] and he graduated with a [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|Master of Arts with Highest Honours]].

In 1841, Bain substituted for Dr. Glennie the Professor of [[Moral Philosophy]], who, due to [[ill-health]], was unable to discharge his academic duties. He continued to do this three successive terms, during which he continued writing for the ''Westminster'', and also helped [[John Stuart Mill]] with the revision of the [[manuscript]] of his ''System of Logic'' (1842). In 1843 he contributed the first review of the book to the ''London and Westminster''.