James Harris (grammarian)

James Harris (1709-1780) was an English politician and grammarian, best known for his work Hermes, or a Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Language and Universal Grammar (1751). Born in Salisbury, Harris received his education at Salisbury Cathedral School and Wadham College, Oxford. He inherited his father's estate in 1745, which provided him with the financial independence to pursue his intellectual interests.

Harris held various political offices throughout his life, including Member of Parliament for Christchurch from 1761 until his death. He served as a Lord of the Admiralty and later as Secretary and Comptroller to Queen Charlotte.

Hermes is Harris's most significant contribution. In this work, he explores the philosophical foundations of language, drawing heavily on classical Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle and Plato. He aimed to establish universal grammatical principles applicable across different languages, believing that language reflected underlying structures of thought and reality. Harris's approach was rooted in a belief in the inherent rationality and order of language.

His other writings include Three Treatises Concerning Art, Music, Painting, and Poetry (1744) and Philosophical Arrangements (published posthumously in 1775). He was a proponent of classical education and the importance of studying Greek and Latin literature. Harris's works influenced later generations of grammarians and philosophers, particularly those interested in the relationship between language and thought. His dedication to classical learning and his attempts to establish universal grammatical principles made him a prominent figure in 18th-century intellectual life. He is often associated with the intellectual movement known as Neoclassicism.