ANNALS 
OF 
PHILOSOPHY. 
APRIL: LBA, 3 
ARTICLE I. 
Biographical Account of the Right Reverend Richard Watson, D.D. 
F.R.S. Lord Bishop of Llandaff. By Thomas Thomson, 
M.D. F. R. S.* 
THE subject of this memoir was born in August, 1737, at 
Heversham, in Westmorland, five miles from Kendal; in which 
town his father, a clergyman, was Master of the Free Grammar 
School. His father superintended the whole of his early education 
till the year 1754, when he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. 
Here he distinguished himself by close application to study, residing 
constantly til made a scholar in May, 1757. He became engaged 
with private pupils in November following; and took the degree of 
B.A. in January, 1759. On this occasion he held a distinguished 
place, being Second Wrangler. He was elected Fellow of Trinity 
College in October, 1760; and was appointed assistant tutor to Mr, 
Backhouse in November of the same year. He took the degree of 
M.A. in 1762; and was made Moderator for the first time in 
October following. 
In the year 1764 he became a candidate for the Professorship of 
Chemistry. I have been told that the late Dr. Paley, who after- 
wards distinguished himself so much by his writings in the depart- 
ments of moral philosophy and theology, was a candidate for the 
same chair. Neither of these eminent men had paid any previous 
* My principal object is to lay before my readers the obligations which Che- 
mistry lies under to this eminent philosopher. My biographical facts are derived 
from a memoir in the Gentleman’s Magazine, 1816, September, p. 274. 
Vor, IX. N° IV. R 
