ANDERSON, JOHN, F.R.S. (1726-96). A Scotch professor of natural philosophy in the University of Glasgow, and founder of the insti tution in that city bearing his name. He was born in the parish of Ruseneath, Dumbarton shire. He studied at the University of Glasgow, in which, in his thirtieth )ear, he was appointed professor of Oriental languages. Four years later (1760) he was transferred to the chair of natural philosophy. He was greatly interested in the practical application of science, and in a spirit of philanthropy Ile instituted a lecture course for artisans, in addition to his usual lec tures, which were erudite and technical. He continued these twice every week during the ses sion to the end of his life. His valuable work, entitled Institutes of Physics, appeared in 1786. Shortly before the French Revolution he invented a form of gun whose recoil was stopped by the condensation of air within the body of the carriage; but, after having endeavored in vain to attract the attention of the British Gov ernment to it, lie proceeded to Paris in 1791.
and, being a sympathizer with the Revolution, presented his model to the National Convention. It was hung up in their hall with the following inscription over it: "The gift of SCIENCE to LIB ERTY." Afterward, when the allied forces had drawn a military cordon around the frontiers of France to prevent the introduction of French newspapers into Germany, Anderson ingeniously suggested the expedient. which was adopted and proved quite successful, of making small balloons of paper, to which newspapers and manifestoes were tied, and letting them off, when the wind was favorable, for Germany. By his will he directed that the whole of his effects, of every kind, should be devoted to the establishment of an educational institution in Glasgow to be known as Anderson's University.