Andrew Ure 
Biography of Andrew Ure
Andrew Ure graduated from the University MD in 1801. He was born in Glasgow, 1778.
Whilst at the University, Ure was taught by the notable James Jeffray, the Regius Professor of Botany. Ure appears in Jeffray’s class roll book from 1795 to 1797. After completing his studies, Ure worked as an army surgeon, and later was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy at Anderson's Institution in 1804. Ure authored many scientific works, including 'Dictionary of chemistry' in 1821 and 'New system of geology' in 1829. In 1822 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1818 Ure and his former Professor James Jeffray received much press attention after taking part in the public dissection of the executed murderer Matthew Clydesdale, when Ure attached the body to a galvanic battery and passed a electric currents through the corpse. The experiments gave rise to the persistent myth that Jeffray and Ure had attempted to bring the corpse back to life. The mundane truth was that they had simply intended to study the effect of electric impulses on the human nervous system.
In 1830 Ure resigned from his chair at the Andersonian and moved to London, establishing himself and as consulting chemist. He died in 1857.
Summary
Andrew Ure
Born May 1778.
Died 1857.
GU Degree: MD, 1801;
University Link: Graduate
Occupation categories: chemists
Record last updated: 4th Apr 2017