Professor Thomas Spencer Baynes (24 March 1823–30 May 1887)

British philosopher, editor and teacher of philosophy. He studied for his undergraduate degree in Edinburgh but he graduated from the University of London in 1850. After graduating Baynes remained in Edinburgh to teach at the Philosophical Institution. Baynes became editor of the Edinburgh Guardian in 1850 sometimes contributing to the copy under the pseudonym "Jupiter Agate". In 1856 Baynes moved to London to write for The Leader and the Daily News. While in London he was appointed examiner in philosophy for the University of London and in 1857 he married Annabella Gale, settling in the Regent's Park area. In November 1864 Baynes was appointed chair of logic, metaphysics, and English literature at St Andrews University. He was editor of the 9th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, contributing the article on Shakespeare. Baynes died suddenly in London in May 1887 and was survived by his wife. His private library is held at the St Andrew's University archives. Baynes had a keen interest in the dialect and folklore of his native Somerset, publishing various translations and papers on this subject.