Difference between revisions of "Appointment of William Robertson as Principal of Edinburgh University, 1762"

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(Created page with "The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, George Drummond (1688-1766), assisted in the appointment of Robertson in becoming Principal of the Edinburgh University. Robertson began his...")
 
 
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The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, [[George Drummond (1688-1766)]], assisted in the appointment of Robertson in becoming Principal of the Edinburgh University. Robertson began his career in office by establishing a [[Library]] Fund; and developed a scheme of increasing the number of buildings to the University, to be designed and built by his cousin [[Robert Adam (1728-1792)]]; and was in progress when Robertson passed away. In his position of Principal, he elevated the academic standing of the University throughout Britain and Europe; the roll call of important and influential people under his Principalship included [[Dugald Stewart (1753-1828)]], [[Adam Ferguson (1723-1816)]], [[John Playfair (1748-1819)]], [[Andrew Dalzel (1742-1806)]], [[Hugh Blair (1718-1800)]], [[John Bruce (1745-1826)]], [[John Robison (1739-1805)]], [[Alexander Fraser Tytler (1747-1813)]], [[John Hope (1725-1786)]], [[Daniel Rutherford (1749-1819)]], [[William Cullen (1710-1790)]], [[James Gregory (1753-1821)]] and [[John Gregory (1724-1773)]], [[Alexander Monro ''secundus'' | Alexander Monro "secundus" (1733-1817)]], [[Joseph Black (1728-1799)]], and [[Francis Home (1719-1813)]] among others, establishing the Enlightenment credentials of Edinburgh and Scotland. Outside the University, he was one of founders of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1782.
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The appointment of [[William Robertson (1721-1793)]] as [[Principal]] in 1762 was pivotal in turning Edinburgh University into a major centre of Enlightenment thought.
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[[Category:Events|Appointment of William Robertson as Principal of Edinburgh University, 1762]][[Category:Incomplete|Appointment of William Robertson as Principal of Edinburgh University, 1762]]
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Intitally working in conjunction with the The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, [[George Drummond (1688-1766)]], his major administrative reforms included reactivating the [[Senatus Academicus]], reforming the degree structure and curriculum, and establishing a [[Library]] Fund.
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New Professorships that were established under Robertson include:
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*[[Natural History]] (1767)
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*[[Materia Medica]] (1768)
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*[[Astronomy]] (1786)
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*[[Agriculture]] (1790)
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The Chair of [[Botany]] was elevated to a Regius Professorship, and a new Botanical Garden was opened in 1763.
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Improvements to University buildings included a new extension for the [[Library|University Library]], a new natural history museum, and plans for a new college building which would only see fruition after Robertson's death.
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Robertson's influence proved vital in elevating the academic standing of the University throughout Britain and Europe. A roll-call of major appointments under his Principalship includes:
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*[[Joseph Black (1728-1799)]]
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*[[John Bruce (1745-1826)]]
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*[[William Cullen (1710-1790)]]
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*[[Andrew Dalzel (1742-1806)]]
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*[[Adam Ferguson (1723-1816)]]
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*[[Alexander Fraser Tytler (1747-1813)]]
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*[[James Gregory (1753-1821)]]
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*[[John Gregory (1724-1773)]]
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*[[Francis Home (1719-1813)]]  
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*[[Alexander Monro ''secundus'' | Alexander Monro "secundus" (1733-1817)]]
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*[[John Playfair (1748-1819)]]
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*[[John Robison (1739-1805)]]
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*[[Daniel Rutherford (1749-1819)]]
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*[[Dugald Stewart (1753-1828)]]
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[[Category:Incomplete|Appointment of William Robertson as Principal of Edinburgh University, 1762]]

Latest revision as of 11:10, 2 March 2016

The appointment of William Robertson (1721-1793) as Principal in 1762 was pivotal in turning Edinburgh University into a major centre of Enlightenment thought.

Intitally working in conjunction with the The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, George Drummond (1688-1766), his major administrative reforms included reactivating the Senatus Academicus, reforming the degree structure and curriculum, and establishing a Library Fund.

New Professorships that were established under Robertson include:

The Chair of Botany was elevated to a Regius Professorship, and a new Botanical Garden was opened in 1763.

Improvements to University buildings included a new extension for the University Library, a new natural history museum, and plans for a new college building which would only see fruition after Robertson's death.

Robertson's influence proved vital in elevating the academic standing of the University throughout Britain and Europe. A roll-call of major appointments under his Principalship includes:

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