Professor of Natural Philosophy (Glasgow) facts for kids
The Chair of Natural Philosophy is a special teaching position, or "professorship," at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. It was created a long time ago, in 1727. This important role is all about teaching and studying what was once called "natural philosophy," which is basically what we now call science, especially physics.
The Chair of Natural Philosophy
For many years, the University of Glasgow had a way of teaching different subjects. A special rulebook from King James VI of Scotland, called the Nova Erectio, said that teachers known as "regents" would share the job of teaching many subjects. These included moral philosophy (about right and wrong), logic (how to think clearly), and natural philosophy (the study of the natural world).
In 1727, the university decided to make things more specialized. Instead of regents teaching everything, they created separate, dedicated teaching positions, or "chairs," for each subject. This is how the Chair of Natural Philosophy was officially started.
Famous Professors of Natural Philosophy
Many brilliant minds have held the Chair of Natural Philosophy over the centuries. These professors taught students and made important discoveries that helped us understand the world better. Here are some of the people who held this special position:
- Robert Dick Snr MA MD (1727)
- Robert Dick Jnr MA MD (1751)
- John Anderson MA (1757)
- James Brown MA MD (1796)
- William Meikleham MA LLD (1803)
- William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin of Largs GCVO MA DCL LLD FRS (1846)
- Andrew Gray MA LLD FRS (1899)
- Harold Albert Wilson MA DSc FRS (1924)
- Edward Taylor Jones DSc LLD (1926)
- Philip Ivor Dee CBE MA FRS (1943)
- Robert Patton Ferrier BSc MA PhD FRSE (1973)
