Contents
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3.1 Experimental Philosophy 3.1 Experimental Philosophy
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3.2 Early Astronomical Equipment 3.2 Early Astronomical Equipment
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3.3 The Macfarlane Bequest 3.3 The Macfarlane Bequest
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3.4 James Watt 3.4 James Watt
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3.5 The Regius Chair of Practical Astronomy 3.5 The Regius Chair of Practical Astronomy
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3.6 The Macfarlane Observatory 3.6 The Macfarlane Observatory
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References References
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Cite
Abstract
Following Sinclair's bequests and gifts of equipment to the University, the Professors Dick (father and son) advanced astronomy teaching in the early 18th century. Dick Jnr continued to purchase teaching and research instruments, having journeyed to England to meet ‘men of science’. In the 1750s he proposed that the University should have an observatory. The bequest of Alexander Macfarlane's (a former Glasgow student) equipment from his observatory in Jamaica provided the final encouragement to establish one in 1757 within the College grounds in the High Street. Observations at the original Jamaican observatory had provided a longitude value which was debated during the ‘Longitude Affair’ associated with the arguments over the stability of Harrison's seafaring clock. The stories are told of how James Watt, the celebrated engineer, cleaned the instruments for the Glasgow Macfarlane Observatory, so providing him with his first emolument, and how later associations through family connections within the University gave furtherance to his career. The machinations of the Duke of Argyll over the establishment of a Regius Chair of Astronomy in 1760, allowing Alexander Wilson to remain in Glasgow, rather than taking his founding business back to London, are also covered.
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