David Hume was born on May 7, 1711, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended the University of Edinburgh at the unusually young age of twelve. He became a significant figure in the Scottish Enlightenment and is widely regarded as one of the most important philosophers to write in English. Hume's philosophical works include 'A Treatise of Human Nature' (1739–40), which was not well received at the time but later became crucial to the development of philosophical empiricism, and 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' (1748), which further advanced his theories. His 'The History of England' was his best-selling work during his lifetime. Hume also influenced utilitarianism and logical positivism, and he was a close friend of fellow philosopher Adam Smith. David Hume died on August 25, 1776, in Edinburgh.