Professor James David Forbes

Biographical Summary

Forbes, James David. 20/04/1809-31/12/1868. Ref: 543. Male.

• Place of Birth: 86 George Street, Edinburgh.
• Place of Death: Clifton, Bristol.
• Place of interment: Dean Cemy, Edinburgh.
• Profession: Physicist, Glaciologist.
• Appointments Held: Professor 1833-60, Natural Philosophy, Edinburgh University; Principal 1860-8, United College, St Andrews.
• Postgraduate Studies: LL.D.
• Marital Status: Married Alicia Wauchope.
• Family: Son George Forbes FRSE 1849-1936.
• Mother: Williamina Belches of Invermay or Stuart.
• Father: William Forbes of Monymusk and Pitsligo 7th. Baronet. FRSE 1773-1828.
• Siblings: John Stuart Hepburn Forbes of Fettercairn and Pitsligo. FRSE 1804-66 and Charles Forbes FRSE.
• Other Family: Grandson of William Forbes FRSE 1739-1806 and Nephew of George Forbes FRSE 1790-1857.
• References: DNB 19, 1889, 398-400; Proc Roy Soc 19, 1870-1, pp i-ix; Proc.Roy. Soc. Edinb. 7, 1869-72, 11-15; JC. Shairp, PG. Tait and A. Adams-Reilly, " Life & Letters of James David Forbes, FRS". Macmillan, London 1873; F. Cunningham "James David Forbes : Pioneer Scottish Glaciologist", Edinburgh 1990; W P Anderson 1931, 725.
• Memberships: FRS (1832), FGS, Highland Society (1836).
• Date of Election: 03/01/1831.
• Proposers: Sir David Brewster, 11/12/1828, (ms Proposal NLS Acc. 10,000/44) (Billet 20/12/1830,).
• Service to the RSE: Councillor 1831-3, Secretary (Ordinary Meetings) 1833-40, General Secretary 1840-60. Vice-President 1860-8, Honorary Vice-President 1868.
• RSE Prizes and Medals: Keith Prize 1833-5, 1841-3, 1863-5.
• Notes: Invented the Seismometer 1842.
• Fellow Type: OF.

SOURCE: Biographical index of former fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1783-2002, pt. 1. A-J, page 324

Other References

• Wikipedia contributors. "James David Forbes." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.