Robert Small (minister) facts for kids
Robert Small (1732–1808) was an important Scottish minister, which is like a church leader. He was very smart and loved mathematics and astronomy. He even became the head of the Church of Scotland for a year in 1791. Robert Small helped start the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a famous group for smart people. He also used his math skills to write a detailed report about his local area, Dundee, in 1792. Later, he explained Kepler's laws of planetary motion, which are rules about how planets move. He cared a lot about his community and helped create a place for people to get medical help, which later became the Dundee Royal Infirmary.
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A Life of Learning and Service
Robert Small was born on December 12, 1732, in a place called Carmyllie in Scotland. His father, James Small, was also a minister. Robert went to school at Dundee Grammar School. He then studied to become a minister at the University of St Andrews, finishing around 1750.
Becoming a Minister
In 1759, Robert was chosen by the town council of Dundee to be a preacher. He officially became the minister of St Mary's Church in Dundee on May 20, 1761. In 1778, he became a chaplain for a military group called the Royal Highlanders. The University of St Andrews also gave him a special honorary degree that same year. In 1783, he helped create the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a group for scientists and thinkers.
His Work and Ideas
Robert Small was known for being a great scholar and an interesting speaker. He knew a lot about science and math. He was also a supporter of literature and reading.
He was once asked to explain some of his choices when he was choosing church elders in 1798. The church leaders reminded him to always follow the rules and traditions of the church carefully. He agreed and said he was proud of the church's beliefs.
Connections to Important People
Robert had a brother named William Small. William was a doctor, but he was also very interested in science and industry. William lived in Virginia for a while, where he taught math to Thomas Jefferson, who later became a US President. When William returned to Britain, he met important people like Benjamin Franklin. William then introduced his friend Matthew Boulton to James Watt, who invented the steam engine.
Both Robert and William Small were important figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. This was a time when many new ideas in science, philosophy, and art were developing in Scotland. Robert also helped the economist and mathematician William Playfair get a job with James Watt.
Robert Small passed away on August 23, 1808. He is buried in the churchyard of St Andrews Cathedral.
Family Life
On April 24, 1764, Robert Small married Jean Yeaman. Her father, Patrick Yeaman, was a merchant and had been the leader of Dundee twice. Robert and Jean had several children: Isabel, Lillias, James, Catherine, and Agnes.
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