| Administrative History | John Gregory [1724-1773] One of a dinasty of professors of medicine at Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He succeded his brother in the chair of medicine at King's College in 1755. He was a close friend and mentor of Beattie. In 1752 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William, Lord Forbes. In 1764 Gregory moved to a more lucrative chair and practice in Edinburgh, but he and Beattie remained intimate friends
Elizabeth Montagu [1720-1800] She met Dr Gregory in 1766, and he introduced her to Beattie's Poems on Several Subjects, which she admired. Beattie met her in 1771, during his visit to London, and they remained close friends until her death. She was an active promoter of Beattie's advancement and she became his principal adviser on literary matters. His final collection of poems was dedicated to her in 1784 |