Agriculture
The Chair of Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh was established within the Faculty of Arts in 1790 and was Britain's first. It was endowed by Sir William Pulteney (1729–1805). The first to hold the Chair was Andrew Coventry (1764-1832), nominated by Pultney himself.
Coventry resigned in 1831 and was succeeded by David Low (1786-1859). Another applicant was Edinburgh graduate, political agitator Robert Gourlay (1778-1863).
When Low resigned the Chair in 1854, his successor was John Wilson ()
The fourth Professor was Robert Wallace (1853-1939). During Wallace's tenure
Professors of Agriculture
Andrew Coventry (1764-1832), 1790-
David Low (1786-1859), 1831-1854
John Wilson (), 1855-
Robert Wallace (1853-1939), 1882-
Sir Stephen Watson (1898-1976)
Noel Fairnie Robertson (1923-1999), 1969-
Sources
- Fleming, Ian J. & Robertson, Noel F., Britain's First Chair of Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh, 1790-1990 (East of Scotland College of Agriculture, 1990)