Meikleham, William, 1771-1846, astronomer and philosopher, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1803-1846,

William Meikleham (or alternatively McIlquham) was born in 1771 at Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland, the second son of William McIlquham, a schoolmaster.

He studied at the University of Glasgow , Scotland, from 1788-1792 . During his time there he won numerous prizes and graduated MA in 1792 . He was Rector of Ayr Academy, Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland, from 1796 until1799. In 1794, he was appointed occasional assistant to John Anderson (1726-1796), Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. This appointment was renewed in December 1795 .

In August 1799, the King issued a commission to William Meikleham to be Professor of Practical Astronomy & Observer at the University of Glasgow, and on 29 October 1799 he was admitted to office. He received the honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree in 1799 . On 9 November 1802 William Meikleham helped to found the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow and became its first president.

In August 1803 William Meikleham transferred from the Astronomy Chair to the Chair of Natural Philosophy which he held until his death. He was elected Clerk of Faculty in 1829 and 1830 . He died on 7 May 1846 aged seventy-five.

Peter Meikleham is a relation of William's, although it is not known how they are related. He served in the Royal Regiment of Fencible Infantry at the end of the eighteenth century and beginning of the nineteenth century.

From the guide to the Papers of William Meikleham, 1771-1846, astronomer and philosopher, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1803-1846, 1792-20th century, (Glasgow University Archive Services)