Physics
Origins
The Chair of Natural Philosophy formed part of the Faculty of Arts when it was established as a distinct entity in 1708. The first Professor, Robert Stewart (1675–1758) had among his students for 1724, David Hume (1711-1776). He was succeeded by his son, John Stewart (d1759).
A second Chair was established in 1924, in memory of Peter Guthrie Tait (1831-1901). It was later retitled the Chair of Mathematical Physics.
Merger with Astronomy
In 1993, the Departments of Physics and Astronomy were combined.
Professors
Chair of Natural Philosophy
Sir Robert Stewart (1675–1758), 1708-1742
John Stewart (d1759), 1742-1759, son of previous
Both were Baronets of Coltness (4th and 5th respectively) but neither assumed the title.
Adam Ferguson (1723-1816), 1759-1764
James Russell (c1720–1773), 1764-1773
John Robison (1739-1805), 1774-1805
John Playfair (1748-1819), 1805-1819
Sir John Leslie (1766-1832), 1819-1832
James David Forbes (1809-1868), 1833-
Peter Guthrie Tait (1831-1901), 1860-1901
James Gordon MacGregor (1852-1913), 1901-1913
Charles Glover Barkla (1877-1944), 1913-1944
Norman Feather (1904-1978), 1945-1975
William Cochran (1922-2003), 1975-
Tait Chair of Natural Philosophy
Charles Galton Darwin (1887-1962), 1924-1936
Max Born (1882-1970), 1936-1952
Chair retitled: Tait Chair of Mathematical Physics
Nicholas Kemmer (1911-1998), 1953-1979
Sir David James Wallace (1945-), 1979-1993
Richard Kenway, 1994-
Personal Chairs of Theoretical Physics
Peter Higgs, 1980-1996
Arjun Berera