Foundation of Chair of Chemistry, 1713

The 'Chair of Physik and Chymistry' was established in 1713, with James Crawford (1682-1731) as first professor. A Chair of Chemistry at Cambridge predated Edinburgh by a decade. Oxford was not to have one until the 19th century. Under Andrew Plummer (1697-1756) and John Innes (d1773) the course was offered as being taught 'according to the Method of the celebrated Herman Boerhaave, at Leyden'. The College Physik Garden was also well utilised. Amongst the students of this period was James Hutton (1726-1797) who went on to be recognised as one of science's great innovators and a founder member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

In the meantime, in a similar way, the impulse coming from without, a ProfessorshipjoL Chcmiofr y had been created in the University of Edinburgh. This occurred in December 171 3; it has been

1 The Deacon of the Surgeons was at this time, and indeed till 1833, a member, ex officio, of the Town Council.

1713J THE FIRST PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY. 297

observed that in the course of the same year a Chair of Chemistry had been established at Cambridge, and possibly this circumstance may have been present to the mind of Dr. James Craufurd, who had been Boerhaaves pupil at Leyden, and who appears to have made proposals to the patrons of the College that he should be authorised to teach Chemistry in Edinburgh. These advances were graciously received by the Town Council, who, using the same preamble as they had employed in creating the first Medical Professorships in 1685 (that the College of this City had from its origin been erected into a University, etc.), and adding that it was expedient to provide for Scotsmen the means of learning Physic and Chemistry at home, proceeded to " elect, nominate, and choose Dr. James Craufurd to be Professor of Physic and Chemistry in the said University, and appoint convenient rooms to be appropriated to him." They added, as they had done when they consented to make James Craig Professor of Civil Law, that Dr. Craufurd was " not to expect any salary as Professor." These terms were accepted ; and in this permissive way the Chair, afterwards made illustrious by the name of Black, came into existence. Craufurd does not appear to have given regular annual courses of Chemistry. It is recorded of him that he gave such courses "sometimes." 1 Perhaps he did not find adequate encouragement from the attendance of Students ; and it must be remembered that he was

1 Bower's History ', ii. 126 and 170.

298 THE STORY OF THE UNIVERSITY. [1720.

Professor of " Physic " also, and may have lectured in that capacity.