William Small facts for kids
William Small was an important Scottish doctor and a professor. He taught "natural philosophy" (which was like science back then) at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
He became a very important mentor to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson later became a key leader in the American Revolution and the third President of the United States. Small helped shape Jefferson's ideas and views on science and the world.
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Early Life and Learning
William Small was born in a place called Carmyllie in Angus, Scotland. His father was a minister.
He went to Dundee Grammar School. After that, he studied at Marischal College at the University of Aberdeen. He earned his Master of Arts degree there in 1755.
His Career
Teaching Thomas Jefferson
In 1758, Small became a professor at the College of William and Mary. This college was in Williamsburg, Virginia, which was one of Britain's colonies in America at the time.
William Small was Thomas Jefferson's professor. He had a big influence on the young Jefferson. Small also introduced Jefferson to important people in Virginia society. These included George Wythe, a top lawyer, and Francis Fauquier, who was the Governor of Virginia.
Jefferson later remembered Small as:
a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and a large and liberal mind... from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science and of the system of things in which we are placed.
This means Jefferson thought Small was very smart in many sciences. He was also good at explaining things and had a kind, open mind. Jefferson said Small's talks helped him understand how science was growing and how the world worked.
Moving Back to England
In 1764, William Small went back to Britain. He had a letter of introduction to Matthew Boulton from Benjamin Franklin. This connection helped Small create the Lunar Society. This was a special club for scientists and business leaders.
In 1765, he earned his medical degree (MD). He then started working as a doctor in Birmingham. He lived with another doctor named John Ash.
Small became the doctor for Matthew Boulton. He also became good friends with other famous people. These included Erasmus Darwin, James Watt, and Anna Seward. Small was a very popular member of the Lunar Society. He often took part in the club's discussions.
Small also helped bring the Theatre Royal to Birmingham in 1774. He also helped plan and build the Birmingham General Hospital. This hospital was finished in 1779.
His Death
William Small passed away in Birmingham on February 25, 1775. He died from malaria, a disease he caught while living in Virginia. He was buried in St. Philip's churchyard in Birmingham.
His Legacy
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The William Small Physical Laboratory is named after him. This building houses the Physics Department at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. It honors his contributions to science and education.
