SCIENTISTS OF NORTH LANCASHIRE AND VICINITY 145 



owner and breeder of cattle, he fostered agriculture and helped to found the 

 Royal Agricultural Society (1839). Died Holker Hall, near Grange, Lanes. 



Chambers, Ephraim, F.R.S. (died 1 740), b. probably about 1 680 at Kendal. 

 Apprenticed in London to a globe and map maker. In 1728 published a 

 ' Cyclopaedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences,' for which he was 

 elected F.R.S. Visited France and translated many French scientific works. 

 Died in London ; buried in Westminster Abbey. 



CoLLINSON, Peter, F.R.S. (1694-1768), b. near Windermere. Well-known 

 botanist, zoologist and antiquary. Elected F.R.S. in 1728. The son of a 

 merchant, he extended his father's business to America, and encouraged 

 intercourse between scientists on both sides of the Atlantic. Kept Benjamin 

 Franklin abreast with advance in electrical experiments in Europe, and 

 advised several of the American States to grow flax, hemp and vines. Had a 

 considerable reputation as a botanist, and came near to being elected curator 

 of the Botanical Department of the British Museum. 



Cortie, Father Aloysius Lawrence, S.J. (1859-1925), b. London. 

 Educated at Stonyhurst College. Entered the Society of Jesus in 1878. 

 Professor of Physical Science at the College for many years, and Director of 

 the Observatory from 1919. F.R.A.S., 1891, and served on the Council. 

 Director of the Solar Section of the British Astronomical Association, 

 1900-1910. He was in charge of the expedition to observe the total solar 

 eclipse at Vinaroz, Spain, in 1905, and also of the Government expedition to 

 the Tonga Islands in 191 1 for the same purpose. He also went to Hembsand, 

 Sweden, for the total eclipse of 1914. In 1922 the University of Padua 

 conferred on him the degree of D.Sc. (Hon. causa). Besides being a well- 

 known lecturer on astronomical subjects, he was the author of numerous 

 papers on solar and stellar physics. Died at Stonyhurst. 



Dalton, John, F.R.S. (1766-1844), b. Eaglesfield, near Cockermouth. 

 Son of a Quaker weaver, he was self-taught. Teacher in Kendal for 1 2 years. 

 Professor of Mathematics, New College, Manchester, 1793. Discovered the 

 law of chemical combination, and tabulated atomic weight of various elements. 

 Published A New System of Chemical Philosophy. Regular attender at 

 British Association meetings ; was Vice-President of Section B (Chemistry) 

 in 1835 and 1836. Died Manchester. 



Dawson, John (1734-1820), b. Garsdale, near Sedbergh. Taught himself 

 mathematics while tending sheep, and soon knew enough to become an 

 itinerant master. Later apprenticed to a surgeon in Manchester. Took a 

 medical degree at Edinburgh and set up practice in Sedbergh. Kept abreast 

 with mathematics and gained such a reputation as a teacher that Cambridge 

 men flocked to him. Between 1781 and 1794 he counted eight senior 

 wranglers among his pupils. 



Dodsworth, Roger (1585-1654), b. Newton Grange. Went to school at 

 Warton, and became an antiquary at an early age. Lived at Hutton Grange 

 from 1611-1654. Published nothing during his life-time, but designed three 

 works, an English Baronage, a History of Yorkshire and Monasticon Anglica- 

 num, the notes for which represented extensive antiquarian researches. Many 

 of his MSS. are preserved in the Bodleian. Died at Hutton Grange ; buried 

 at Ruffcrd. 



