Career
His Essay on Original Genius is frequently cited as a landmark in the Western analysis of genius and creativity. Duff was a Scottish minister and Master of Arts, was licensed by the presbytery 25 June 1755, called 18 September, and ordained 8 October, when he was appointed to the parish of Glenbucket, Aberdeenshire. Thence he was transferred to Peterculter in the same county, 24 October 1766, being admitted 4 March 1767.
He was nominated minister of Foveran, also in Aberdeenshire, in February 1774, and took up his home a year later.
He postulated three aspects: imagination, judgement and taste. Notably, he emphasised imagination as making the most important contribution to genius.