| Administrative History | William Gregory (1803 - 1858) was the fourth son of James Gregory (1753 - 1821) and his wife, Isabella Macleod (c1772 - 1847), and a twin brother of Donald Gregory (1803 - 1836), antiquary.
He studied medicine at Edinburgh University, where his interest in chemistry was sparked by Charles Hope, professor of medicine and chemistry, and continued his studies on the continent where he became a favourite and friend of the great German research chemist, Baron Justis von Liebig (1803 -1873). In 1828, he received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh and returned to Britain to take up the post of assistant to Professor Edward Turner in the University of London. He returned to Edinburgh a year later where he set himself up as an extra-academical lecturer on chemistry and delivered well-attended public (or 'popular') lectures on the same topic between 1829 and 1836. Thereafter, he was chemical lecturer at Park Street School of Medicine in Dublin from 1836 to 1837; lecturer at Andersonian University in Glasgow from 1837 to 1839; professor of chemistry at King's College, Aberdeen, from 1839 to 1844; and professor of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh from 1844 to 1858.
At King's College, Aberdeen, he played an important role in setting up an independent medical school in the college which had previously taught medicine jointly with Aberdeen's second University, Marischal College. His appointment to the Edinburgh chair of chemistry was a hard won but popular victory which followed several months' intense competition with eight other candidates. He was a lucid and popular lecturer and his class textbook, 'Outlines of Chemistry' (published in 1845), ran to several editions. Other scientific works include the 'Outlines of Inorganic Chemistry', 'Handbook of Organic Chemistry', 'Elementary Treatise on Chemistry' and the translation and publication of Baron Liebig's works.
Gregory's most important contribution to scientific research was his discovery in 1831 of an economical process for isolating morphine hydrochloride in a high state of purity, a crucial process in the development and introduction of the hypodermic injection in general practice. Other significant work includes the purification of chloroform, the discovery of nitrogen sulphide, work on meconic acid, methyl mercaptan and the distillation of rubber.
He had wide intellectual interests, devoting much time to the study of music and languages, was a founding member and first secretary of Aberdeen Philosophical Society, and a fellow and secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Much of his energy was also devoted to phrenology, hypnotism, spiritualism and occult phenomena, generally - interests which often gave rise to ridicule or scorn from his academic contemporaries. He published regularly in the 'Phrenological Journal', and wrote several works on mesmerism, including 'Letters to a Candid Inquirer on Animal Magnetism' (London: Taylor, Walton and Maberly, 1851).
Gregory married Lisette Scott [Mrs Macdougall Gregory] in 1839 with whom he had one son, James Liebig Gregory (1840 - 1863).
He had ten siblings, many of whom attained academic and professional distinction: John (1797 - 1869); Hugh (1799 - 1811); James Craufurd (1801 - 1832); Donald (1803 - 1836); Jane Macleod (1805 - 1813); Elizabeth Forbes (1808 - 1811); Margaret Craufurd (1809 - 1849), who married her first cousin, William Pulteney Alison; Georgina (1811 - 1877); Duncan Farquharson (1813 - 1844); and Isabella (1816 - 1818). |
| Description | Letters of Introduction for William Gregory in Germany, 11 June 1827; M.D. diploma from the University of Edinburgh, 12 July 1828; diploma of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 12 July 1828; certificate of Membership of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 6 February 1832; certificate of membership (corresponding) of the Société de Pharmacie de Paris, 5 June 1833; certificate of membership (corresponding) of the Société Phrenologique de Paris, 9 October 1833; letter from William Gregory to his sister, Mrs Margaret Alison, 14 March 1838; letter from William Gregory to his sister, Mrs Margaret Alison, 18 April 1838; preview of William Gregory's 'Letters [to a candid enquirer] on Animal Magnetism', 27 June 1857; review of William Gregory's 'Elementary Treatise on Chemistry', 2 March 1855; press cutting regarding lecture at Andersonian University, undated [1837 - 1839]; obituary notice, April 1858; account of expenses for apparatus etc. incurred in setting up as a teacher of chemistry, 1829 - 1830; notes for chemistry lectures given at the University of Edinburgh, 1828 - 1836; lecture notes on natural philosophy and spherical astronomy, 1820 - 1821. |