Ramsay, Andrew Michael (1686–1743)

Scottish writer and theologian. His writings are more noteworthy for purity of style than for depth or originality of thought. As a theologian he was visionary in the extreme, and even his orthodoxy is open to suspicion. His best-known works are The Life of F de Salignac de la Motte Fénelon (1723) and The Travels of Cyrus (1728, 3rd ed), an imitation of Fénelon's Télémaque/Telemachus (1699).

Ramsay was born in Ayr, Scotland, and was educated at Edinburgh University. He travelled to France and there met Fénelon, who converted him to Roman Catholicism. He became tutor to the Duke of Chateau-Thierry and afterwards to the Prince of Turenne. His reputation prompted the Old Pretender, James Edward Stuart, to invite him to Rome, Italy, in 1724, and to entrust him with the education of his children. The following year he revisited Scotland, where he remained for some time. After his return to France he was appointed intendant (official appointed to administer a territorial département) to the Prince of Turenne, and he held this post till his death.