Dr. George Birkbeck

George Birkbeck (10 January 1776 – 1 December 1841) was a British doctor, academic, philanthropist, pioneer in adult education and founder of Birkbeck College.

Born to a Quaker family in Settle, North Yorkshire, Birkbeck went to Sedbergh School and then completed his training as a doctor in Edinburgh in 1799. Before practising as a physician, however, he initially embarked on an academic career, being appointed professor of natural philosophy at the Andersonian Institution, which later became the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

After mechanics started asking questions about the apparatus he used in his lectures, he had the idea of holding free, public lectures on the 'mechanical arts' (c 1800-1804). These Saturday evening events proved very popular and continued after his departure to London, leading to the formation in 1821 of the first Mechanics' Institute in Glasgow.

Working as a doctor in London, Birkbeck, with others, established the London Mechanics Institute in November 1823 - of which he was the first President. The Mechanics Institute concept was quickly adopted in numerous other cities and towns across the UK and overseas, but his association with the ground-breaking London institution was marked by it being renamed the Birkbeck Literary and Scientific Institution in 1866 (now, as Birkbeck College, part of the University of London).

He also helped create the first chemistry laboratory for undergraduates at University College London, and was head of the short-lived London Chemical Society of the 1820s.

He died in 1841 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London. A monument is also to be found in St Akelda's church in Giggleswick, near his birthplace in Settle.

References

• Foster 1890, Birkbeck Pedigree p.87
• George Birkbeck and the London Mechanics Institute - Infed.org
• "Birkbeck, George". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
• Wikipedia contributors. "George Birkbeck." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
• Sandys B. Foster; The pedigree of Birkbeck of Mallerstang and Settle, Braithwaite of Kendal, Benson of Stang End; Printed by W.H. and L. Collingridge; 1890; page 87 (2)
• Foster, Sandys B. (Sandys Birket); The pedigree of Wilson of High Wray & Kendal, and families connected with them; London : Printed for private circulation [by] W.H. and L. Collingridge; 1871; page 41
• "George Birkbeck", Munks Roll, Royal College of Physicians of London