A restored portrait, originally painted c 1798, of Thomas Garnett (1766-1802), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Anderson's Institution.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Garnett had already established a reputation as a skilled lecturer when he was appointed as the first professor of the new institution in 1796. He started with a course of lectures "on Arts and Manufactures" connected with Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, illustrated by working models and experiments covering such subjects as bleaching, dyeing, calico-printing, etching, engraving and metallurgy.
Further courses on physics and chemistry were equally successful, following the guidelines laid down by John Anderson, the founder. Anderson would have been particularly gratified to see the high proportion of woman students who attended Garnett's lectures. The student fees more than covered the cost of renting rooms. After initiating and then maintaining the courses for three sessions, Garnett was persuaded to take up a professorial appointment at the new Royal Institution in London in 1799. The district of Garnethill is said to be named after him.
Reference: P4/6
Reproduced with the permission of Strathclyde University Archives
Keywords:
Anderson's Institution, chemistry, lecturers, natural philosophy, physics, portraits, professors, Royal Institution, women students
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