He was born in Ayr on the western Scottish coast on 4 February 1762.
He studied classics and science at Glasgow University. For some years he acted as tutor in Jamaica, and then was chaplain at Glasgow university. Moving to Edinburgh, he graduated M.D. and became fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. In 1822 he was elected a member of the Aesculapian Club.[3] He frequently lectured on natural history and chemistry, and was one of the physicians at the Edinburgh Dispensary, where he caught a fever and died 13 July 1827.
In 1807 Millar published with William Vazie Observations on the Advantages and Practicability of making Tunnels under Navigable Rivers, particularly applicable to the proposed Tunnel under the Forth, Edinburgh. This work related to a plan for a tunnel from Rosyth to Queensferry, also involving John Grieve. Robert Bald was consulted, but the project came to nothing.[5][6]
Millar also edited the fourth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, 20 vols., Edinburgh, 1810, and the last fifteen volumes of the fifth edition of the same work, 20 vols., Edinburgh, 1817; he contributed largely to both editions. Millar also planned and edited a more popular dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature, the Encyclopædia Edinensis, 6 vols., Edinburgh, 1827.[5]
Other publications, mainly based on articles already contributed to encyclopædias, included: [5]
A Guide to Botany, Edinburgh, 1819.
Elements of Chemistry, Edinburgh, 1820.
Practical Observations on Cold and Warm Bathing, and descriptive Notices of Watering-places in Britain, Edinburgh, 1821.
^Waterston, Charles D; Macmillan Shearer, A (July 2006). Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index(PDF). Vol. II. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN978-0-902198-84-5. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
^A. W. Skempton (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500-1830. Thomas Telford. p. 738. ISBN978-0-7277-2939-2.
^"Dr. James Millar, 1762 - 1827. Physician | National Galleries of Scotland".
Preface to the Encyclopædia Edinensis, listing of contributors
April 07, 2023
james, millar, physician, james, millar, miller, frse, frcpe, 1762, 1827, scottish, physician, botanist, author, edited, fourth, fifth, editions, encyclopædia, britannica, although, good, writer, scientific, topics, deemed, poor, chief, editor, britannica, bei. Dr James Millar or Miller FRSE FRCPE 1762 1827 was a Scottish physician botanist and author He edited the fourth and fifth editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1 Although a good writer on scientific topics he was deemed a poor chief editor of the Britannica being slow and dilatory and not well qualified 2 Contents 1 Life 2 Works 3 Artistic recognition 4 References and footnotes 5 External linksLife EditHe was born in Ayr on the western Scottish coast on 4 February 1762 He studied classics and science at Glasgow University For some years he acted as tutor in Jamaica and then was chaplain at Glasgow university Moving to Edinburgh he graduated M D and became fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh In 1822 he was elected a member of the Aesculapian Club 3 He frequently lectured on natural history and chemistry and was one of the physicians at the Edinburgh Dispensary where he caught a fever and died 13 July 1827 He lived at 16 Brown Square in Edinburgh gt 4 He left a family 5 Works EditIn 1807 Millar published with William Vazie Observations on the Advantages and Practicability of making Tunnels under Navigable Rivers particularly applicable to the proposed Tunnel under the Forth Edinburgh This work related to a plan for a tunnel from Rosyth to Queensferry also involving John Grieve Robert Bald was consulted but the project came to nothing 5 6 Millar also edited the fourth edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica 20 vols Edinburgh 1810 and the last fifteen volumes of the fifth edition of the same work 20 vols Edinburgh 1817 he contributed largely to both editions Millar also planned and edited a more popular dictionary of arts sciences and literature the Encyclopaedia Edinensis 6 vols Edinburgh 1827 5 Other publications mainly based on articles already contributed to encyclopaedias included 5 A Guide to Botany Edinburgh 1819 Elements of Chemistry Edinburgh 1820 Practical Observations on Cold and Warm Bathing and descriptive Notices of Watering places in Britain Edinburgh 1821 Artistic recognition EditHis portrait medallion by John Henning 1771 1851 is held in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery 7 References and footnotes Edit Waterston Charles D Macmillan Shearer A July 2006 Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783 2002 Biographical Index PDF Vol II Edinburgh The Royal Society of Edinburgh ISBN 978 0 902198 84 5 Retrieved 22 December 2011 Encyclopedias Encyclopaedia Britannica 14th ed 1954 Minute Books of the Aesculapian Club Library of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1811 12 a b c d Goodwin 1894 A W Skempton 2002 A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland 1500 1830 Thomas Telford p 738 ISBN 978 0 7277 2939 2 Dr James Millar 1762 1827 Physician National Galleries of Scotland Attribution This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Goodwin Gordon 1894 Millar James In Lee Sidney ed Dictionary of National Biography Vol 37 London Smith Elder amp Co External links EditPreface to the Encyclopaedia Edinensis listing of contributors Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Millar physician amp oldid 1139011487, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
