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Copying not Diagnosing: The Case of Hugh Blair of Borgue
Disability Studies Quarterly, Volume: 43, Issue: 2
Swansea University Author:
Laura Seymour
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DOI (Published version): 10.18061/dsq.v43i2.8811
Abstract
This article re-evaluates the case of Hugh Blair of Borgue (1747-8) from the standpoint of neurodiversity pride. This case was brought by John Blair against his older brother the laird Hugh Blair of Borgue. John successfully argued that Hugh was an Idiot incapable of marriage. As a result, Hugh’s ma...
| Published in: | Disability Studies Quarterly |
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| ISSN: | 1041-5718 2159-8371 |
| Published: |
The Ohio State University Libraries
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70145 |
| Abstract: |
This article re-evaluates the case of Hugh Blair of Borgue (1747-8) from the standpoint of neurodiversity pride. This case was brought by John Blair against his older brother the laird Hugh Blair of Borgue. John successfully argued that Hugh was an Idiot incapable of marriage. As a result, Hugh’s marriage to Nickie Mitchell was annulled and their children disinherited; John and his descendants now stood to inherit Hugh’s estates. Some modern criticism has suggested that Hugh was autistic. During the court case, Hugh’s life and way of behaving and communicating, were often painfully critiqued. Exploring an autistic reading of Hugh that emphasises his creativity and love of imitation, I argue that attempting to “diagnose” him with autism using modern diagnostic criteria can replicate some of the harsh judgements that the court made against him. I end by suggesting that, as Hugh loved to copy, we might spend some time in our lives imitating Hugh. |
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| Keywords: |
Hugh Blair, eighteenth-century, neurodivergence, autism, marriage, Idiocy |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
John Fell Fund, University of Oxford |
| Issue: |
2 |