David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and essayist who lived from 1711 to 1776. He is best known for his influential system of philosophical empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism, as well as his ideas on causality, morality, and human nature. Hume's major works include "A Treatise of Human Nature," "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding," and "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals," which continue to have a significant impact on philosophy, ethics, and cognitive science.