JAN.

MEMOIR OF GEORGE BIRKBECK, M.D.

(With a Portrait.)

AMONG the distinguished characters of the present day, few persons are more generally known, and scarcely lone is more deservedly celebrated, than the subject of this memoir. In the direct line of his profession, he holds a conspicuous rank; his preeminent skill having procured for him an extensive and honourable patronage, and his success secured the entire confidence of his numerous and highly respectable friends.

But, independently of the reputation which he has obtained by an able discharge of the duties of his station, fame is not silent respecting his exalted attainments in various other departments of science, which he has also found time to cultivate. In the mechanical branches, more particularly, his talents have shone with peculiar lustre; and men of eminence have paid a tribute of respect to his abilities and acquirements, by attending his lectures, and co-operating in his designs. Thus countenanced and supported, he has laid the foundation of an Institution, in London, which promises to be of vast utilty to the mechanical genius of our country, and highly beneficial to the human race.

DR. BIRKBECK's name is well known to numerous scientific bodies, both in England and Scotland; and the marks of honourable distinction which he has received from many learned associations in each, furnish incontestable evidence that their leading members know how to estimate his talents. He is at present a member of the Royal College of Physicians, and Physician to the General Dispensary; President of the London Mechanics' Institution; Patron of the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution; President of the Meteorological Society; and Member of the Astronomical, Geological, and Medical and Chirurgical Societies in London; and if activity and unre73.-VOL. VII.

[1825.

mitting attention to study, can be considered as a passport to fame, it is but fair to infer that more honours still await bin

Of a gentleman thus distinguished by his merits in the eyes of his enlightened and learned countrymen, we cannot for a moment doubt that the portrait will prove highly gratifying to our numerous readers. At the same time, we flatter ourselves that the memoirs of his life will be even more than equally acceptable to all who delight to trace the progress of intellect, pursuing its march through the thorny paths of science, to a point of eminence which no patronage can confer, and no superiority of genius, without unremitting application, can ever presume to reach.

Dr. George Birkbeck was the youngest son of William Birkbeck, Esq. an eminent merchant and banker of Settle, in Yorkshire, in which place he was born, in the year 1776. At a very early age he manifested strong indications of a disposition for mechanical pursuits, delighting to frequent those workshops in which such articles were made as corresponded with his yet undeveloped genius, and embracing every opportunity of seizing and using the tools of carpenters, and other workmen, whenever they came within his grasp. A cotton mill having been erected in the neighbourhood, during his childhood, from his strong attachment to machinery, he was solicitous to be employed among the children connected with this establishment, that he might have an opportunity of watching its various movements, and tracing with minuteness the connexions and bearings of its complicated parts.

When eight years of age, he was placed at a school in a village called Newton, on the borders of Lancashire, where he remained about six years. During this period he acquired the rudiments of arithmetical and classical knowledge, and thus became qualified for entering on more

B

important studies, under the tuition of gentlemen, whose talents and learning qualified them for the arduous task.

Attaining the age of fourteen, he was placed under the care of Mr. Dawson, of Sedbergh, a gentleman well known as one of the most celebrated mathematicians of his day. At this time he resided with a relative, Mr. Robert Foster, of Hebblethwaite Hall, about three miles from Sedbergh, with whom, he being an accomplished scholar, he devoted his evenings to the study of the Greek and Latin languages, which he prosecuted with much advantage. Under the admirable tuition of Mr. Dawson, he pursued his mathematical inquiries with great ardour, and his proficiency was correspondent to his application. During this period, he made himself acquainted with the elementary branches of this science, as they were taught in Cambridge, reading such works as were calculated to improve his mind, among which were the Principia of Newton, and some of the more difficult fluxionary investigations.

On leaving Sedbergh, after spending in it and its neighbourhood, what he has been known to consider one of the happiest and most instructive periods of his life, he returned to his native place; and soon afterward becoming acquainted with the late Dr. Garnett, who had also been a pupil of Mr. Dawson, he was induced, partly by his own inclination, and partly through the recommendation of his friend, to turn his attention to medicine, and finally to adopt it as a profession.

After spending some time with Dr. Garnett, then engaged in the analysis of mineral waters, and in the publication of his Treatise on the Waters of Harrowgate, he proceeded to Leeds for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of pharmacy, with Mr., now Dr. Logan, and of witnessing the practice of the Infirmary, with that gentleman

der the direction of these gentlemen, when about eighteen, he left Leeds, and repaired to Edinburgh, adopting the plan of study, during the first winter, which had been previously pointed out by Dr. Garnett. Here, as he had also been strongly advised, he joined the Royal Medical Society, although not at this time qualified to take any active part in its proceedings.

From Edinburgh he repaired to London, where he spent the following winter. His object in visiting the metropolis was, that he might obtain more accurate anatomical information by dissection, than he had hitherto acquired. To accomplish this purpose, he entered as a pupil in the school of the late Dr. Baillie, and had the happiness of establishing a friendship with that distinguished physician, which only terminated with his life. While here, he had also the advantage of attending the excellent lectures of Dr. Fordyce on the practice of physic, and of Dr. Pearson on chemistry.

Returning to Edinburgh the ensuing season, he took a more active part among the students, and also became a member of the Natural History Society, to the chair of which, as well as to that of the Royal Medical Society, he had the honour, at the commencement of the next session, to be elected.

During the summer of 1797, he attended a short course of lectures on natural philosophy, delivered by Professor Robison, one of the most profouud mathematicians of the age. The interest which these lectures excited in Dr. B. soon attracted the notice of the professor, who regularly afterwards sent him a ticket of free admission, and permitted him to enjoy an intimate and confidential intercourse.

About this time he had the good fortune to obtain the friendship of Dr. John Thomson, late professor of military surgery in the University of Edinburgh; and also of John Allen, Esq. the distinguished lecturer on the animal economy, now master of Dulwich College. These were facilities for the acquirement of valuable knowledge, which he well knew how to appreciate and improve.

dence in Edinburgh, he acted as cliDuring the third winter of his resinical clerk to Dr. Rutherford. This occurrence he always considered as

of vast importance; since it afforded the most valuable opportunity of acquiring practical knowledge which at that time he had ever enjoyed, and secured for him, while he remained in the university, an intimate association with this renowned and highly philosophical professor.

About this time, he also became acquainted with the celebrated Henry Brougham, Esq. then a student in Edinburgh, and had the happiness of co-operating with him, with the late Drs. Brown and Leyden, the late Mr. Horner, Mr. Reddie, Professor Wallace, and others, in forming the Academy of Physics. This society was at first conducted with great spirit, but after some time was abandoned.

At the commencement of the ensuing winter, the fourth he spent in Edinburgh, he had the gratification of receiving another strong testimonial of the high estimation in which he was held by his fellow students, who, without his soliciting a single vote, elected him a second time one of the annual presidents of the Royal Medical Society. This was the more honourable, as it was a circumstance of very rare occurrence. At the close of this session, he underwent the customary examinations for taking a degree in medicine; and, after publishing and defending a chemico-physiological dissertation de Sanguine, was admitted to that distinguished honour.

On quitting Edinburgh to return to Yorkshire, shortly after his graduation, Dr. Birkbeck spent a few days with an acquaintance at Peebles. While here, he received a letter from Dr. Garnett, announcing his appointment to the professorship of natural philosophy in the Royal Institution, of London, and his nomination of Dr. B. as his successor in the chair at Glasgow, which he was about to relinquish. Not feeling, at so early an age, entitled to expect great encouragement in medical practice, and wishing to spend a few more years in the pursuit of additional information, Dr. B. thinking this a favourable opportunity to promote his views, consented to become a candidate. The high testimonials, when this became known, voluntarily sent from many distinguished characters in Edinburgh, secured the votes of a large majority of the trustees; and, after the lapse of a few weeks, in the

month of November, 1799, he commenced a course of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, and the more interesting parts of chemistry.

To supply these lectures with the necessary apparatus, strenuous exertions were made; but from the want of an efficient philosophical instrument-maker, the greater part was prepared under the superintendence of the lecturer, in the best conducted workshops that he could discover.

Being thus introduced to a direct intercourse with the artisans of Glasgow, many of whom exhibited a degree of eager curiosity that had no means of obtaining gratification, and a vigour of intellect, for the cultivation of which no provision had been made, Dr. B. very soon formed a plan for delivering a series of elementary philosophical lectures, adapted, as far as possible, to the untutored minds for which they were designed, and to be offered to them free of all expense. The time which he selected for this purpose, was on the evenings of Saturday, prudently conceiving that it would at least be an admirable substitute for the ordinary mode in which that portion of their time was generally employed, and concluding that if the attempt should not otherwise prove ultimately beneficial, the experiment would at least be safe and rational.

Having matured this plan, Dr. B., at their meeting in March, 1800, communicated his project to the trustees, in whom the management of the institution had been vested by the will of Professor Anderson, its founder. This was a source, however, from which no encouragement was to be derived, and no assistance was to be obtained. So far as the motive was concerned, the scheme procured commendation, but in other respects it excited smiles, as the delusive vision of youthful enthusiasm; and it was even derided, when considered in reference to the individuals for whose benefit it had been introduced. Of these trustees, many were intimately acquainted with the wants, the habits, and the capabilities of the artisans, yet not one was disposed to express even a favourable opinion of the proposition.

The session being concluded, Dr. B. returned to Yorkshire; and, in a short prospectus sent for publication from thence, of the several courses to