Anderson, John, 1726-1796

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John Anderson (1726-1796) was born at Rosneath, Dunbartonshire, the grandson of the Rev John Anderson (1668-1721), Preceptor to the Duke of Argyll and first minister of St David's Ramshorn Church in Glasgow and son of the Rev James Anderson, minister of Rosneath. Following the early death of his father, Anderson was brought up by an aunt in Stirling and later attended Glasgow University, where he graduated in 1745. Following employment as tutor to several young gentlemen, Anderson was appointed Professor of Oriental Languages at the College or University of Glasgow in 1755 and transferred to the Chair of Natural Philosophy in 1757.

Anderson had a wide range of interests - in natural philosophy, natural history, antiquities and ballistics and military engineering - and was a prolific writer and inventor. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society and was a friend of Benjamin Franklin and many other scientists of the day. He installed the first lightning conductor in Glasgow, on the College steeple.

Glasgow in the 18th century was a centre of the Industrial Revolution and Anderson realised the need to encourage technical education. He gave an evening class in Experimental Philosophy open to the mechanics in the city, which proved to be so popular that the Lecture Room had to be twice extended to accommodate the numbers wishing to attend. He was an inspired teacher and was nicknamed 'Jolly Jack Phosphorus' by his students. He was associated with James Watt and encouraged the latter's revolutionary work on the steam engine.

Anderson found himself often at odds with his colleagues in Glasgow University over matters of governance and their hostility, as he saw it, to new ideas, and some of these disputes ended in lawsuits. In 1795 John Anderson drew up a detailed plan in his will for a new University to be founded in Glasgow, which would be 'a place of useful learning'. Even women would be welcome to attend classes. After his death in January 1796 his Trustees, although left with insufficient funds, were able to establish Anderson's Institution, which evolved into the present day University of Strathclyde

From the guide to the Papers of John Anderson, 1721-1798, (Strathclyde University Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Pinkerton, John, 1758-1826. John Pinkerton letters, 1775 Dec 14-1815 Jan 31. Yale University, Lewis Walpole Library
referencedIn Records of the University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1304-[ongoing] Glasgow University Archive Service
creatorOf Papers of John Anderson, 1721-1798 Strathclyde University Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Pinkerton, John, 1758-1826. person
associatedWith University of Glasgow corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Glasgow (Scotland)
Subject
Antiquities
History of science
Military engineering
Physics Study and teaching
Science
Universities
Occupation
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Person

Birth 1726-09-26

Death 1796-01-13

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