William Meikleham 
Biography of William Meikleham
William Meikleham or M'Ilquham (1771-1846) was a graduate of the University who was Regius Professor of Astronomy from 1799 to 1803 and Professor of Natural Philosophy from 1803 until 1846. He was Clerk of Senate from 1802 to 1806 and 1828 to 1831, and he was awarded an LLD in 1799.
Meikleham graduated MA from the University in 1792 and became Rector of Ayr Academy. In 1794 he was employed as an occasional assistant to John Anderson, the Professor of Natural Philosophy, and he continued to take classes after Anderson's death in 1796 as Anderson's successor, James Brown, professed himself to be too ill to teach. In 1799 he was appointed to the Astronomy Chair, but he gave it up to become Professor of Natural Philosophy when Brown was finally persuaded to resign in 1803.
In 1827, Meikleham was one of three University professors who were founders of the College Club, the members of which were mostly Glasgow merchants and businessmen. His son, also William, was Clerk of Senate from 1831 until 1845.
Summary
William Meikleham
Astronomer and Physicist
Born 1771.
Died 7 May 1846.
GU Degrees: MA, 1792; LLD, 1799;
University Link: Clerk of Senate, Graduate, Honorary Graduate, Professor
Occupation categories: astronomers; physicists
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P130847
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Record last updated: 16th Jul 2009
Country Associations
University Connections
University Roles
- Clerk of Senate, 1802-1806
- Clerk of Senate, 1828-1831
- Graduate [View William Meikleham's record in the list of graduates]
- Honorary Graduate
- Professor
Academic Posts
Professorships: