John Anderson (natural philosopher)

John Anderson (born September 26, 1726 in Rosneath , † January 13, 1796 in Glasgow ) was a Scottish natural philosopher and university reformer.

Live and act

Both John Anderson's father and grandfather were pastors. After the early death of his father, he grew up with an aunt. He studied at the University of Glasgow . After graduating in 1745, he was initially a private tutor. At the end of 1755 he became professor of oriental languages at the University of Glasgow, in 1757 he switched to the chair of natural philosophy. He specialized in the then new field of experimental physics. In 1786 he published a textbook on physics, which was subsequently published several times. Beyond his academic obligations, he was interested in further training for large sections of the population, especially craftsmen, in technical fields. He organized very well attended evening lectures. James Watt , whom he encouraged to further develop the steam engine, belonged to his circle of friends at Glasgow University . He was a supporter of the aims of the French Revolution of 1789, which he supported with several actions.

Shortly before his death, Anderson suggested in his will the establishment of a university in Glasgow with the aim of teaching craftsmen and other people who could not attend the university in Glasgow. This university, to which he bequeathed his estate, was founded in 1796. It was initially called Anderson's Institution, from 1828 to 1877 it was called Anderson's University and was finally transferred to the University of Strathclyde in 1964 after further institutional changes .

In 1759 Anderson was elected a member ( Fellow ) of the Royal Society of London . In 1783 he was a founding member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh .

literature

JJ Sharp: John Anderson: University reformer . In: The Vocational Aspect of Education . tape 29 , no. 73 , 1977, pp. 83-86 , doi : 10.1080 / 10408347308000841 .
John Anderson (1726-1796). In: Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. Retrieved April 3, 2020 (short biography).
The University of Glasgow Story: John Anderson. Biography. University of Glasgow, accessed April 3, 2020 .
Anderson, John, 1726-1796, natural philosopher. In: University of Strathclyde Archives. University of Strathclyde, accessed April 4, 2020 .

Web links

Commons : John Anderson (natural philosopher) - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Note and individual evidence

↑ The dates differ in the sources.
^ Fellows Directory. Biographical Index: Former RSE Fellows 1783–2002. (PDF file) Royal Society of Edinburgh, accessed April 4, 2020 .

personal data
SURNAME	Anderson, John
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Scottish natural philosopher and university reformer
DATE OF BIRTH	September 26, 1726
PLACE OF BIRTH	Rosneath (locality)
DATE OF DEATH	January 13, 1796
Place of death	Glasgow

[1] The dates differ in the sources.

[2] Fellows Directory. Biographical Index: Former RSE Fellows 1783–2002. (PDF file) Royal Society of Edinburgh, accessed April 4, 2020 .