Can you provide any basic biographical detail on Professor Robert Ramsay, the first Professor of Natural History at Edinburgh University?
The following is derived from both our List of graduates in medicine in the University of Edinburgh from MDCCV to MDCCCLXVI, Edinburgh: Neill and Co., 1867, and from The story of the University of Edinburgh during its first three hundred years Grant, Sir Alexander. London: Longman, Green and Co., 1884 (Vol.1. p.320 and Vol.2. pp.431-432)…: From the List… p.7, we learn of Ramsay’s graduation in 1757 with an M.D., and the title of his thesis, so: 1757 Robertus, Ramsay. Scotus. De Bile Ramsay is Dr. Robert Ramsay of Backraig FRCPE (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh). Ramsay was Regius Professor of Natural History and Keeper of the Museum in the University of Edinburgh from 1767 until his death. An annual salary of Pounds 70 is recorded in Grant (Vol.2). Grant writes that, in 1770 Dr. Robert Ramsay presented to the Town Council a Commission from George III, dated 13 March 1767, appointing him Regius Professor of Natural History and Keeper of the Museum in the Unive
