146 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF BLACKPOOL AND DISTRICT 



FERGUSON, R. S. (1837-1900), b. Carlisle of a family who founded the cotton 

 industry there in 1700. Educated Carlisle Grammar School and St. John's, 

 Cambridge. Called to the bar in 1862. Retiring through ill-health in 1872, 

 he devoted himself to the study of local antiquities, having previously founded 

 the Cumberland and Westmorland Archaeological Society (1866). Under 

 his guidance nearly the whole of Cumberland and Westmorland were explored 

 and records made of castles, churches, houses, manuscripts and old customs. 

 His own period was the Roman occupation of Cumberland. Published and 

 edited numerous antiquarian works. Died at Carlisle. 



Fletcher, Abraham (1714-1793), b. Little Broughton, Bridekirk, Cumber- 

 land. Son of a tobacco-pipe maker, he was apprenticed to the trade. Taught 

 himself mathematics, and acquired a considerable reputation as a teacher. 

 Increased his income by sale of herbal decoctions, and was known by many 

 as Dr. Fletcher. Also studied judicial astrology. Published two books, 

 The Universal Measurer (1753) and The Universal Measurer and Mechanic 

 (1762). 



Fothergill, Anthony, F.R.S. (1732-1813), b. Sedbergh. Studied 

 medicine at Edinburgh and practised in Northampton, London and Bath. 

 Elected F.R.S., 1778. A skilful doctor, he also possessed scientific attain- 

 ments, especially in chemistry, which he applied to analysis of mineral waters. 

 Best known for researches and papers on restoring persons apparently dead 

 from drowning. Died in London. 



Frankland, Sir Edward, K.C.B., F.R.S. (1825-1899), b. Churchtown, 

 near Lancaster. Chemist apprentice at Lancaster, then studied in London and 

 at Marburg. Professor of Chemistry at Putney College (1850) and at Owen's 

 College, Manchester (1851). F.R.S., 1853. Royal medallist 1857. He 

 lectured in Chemistry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and was 

 Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1863-8). Served on royal 

 commission on river pollution from 1868. Made notable contributions to 

 organic chemistry. His works include Experimental Researches in Pure, 

 Applied, and Physical Chemistry. 



Garnett, Thos., M.D. (1766-1802), b. Casterton. Son of a landed pro- 

 prietor. Studied medicine in Edinburgh and London and practised in 

 Bradford and Harrogate. Made the first scientific analysis of the Harrogate 

 waters. After a tour of lectures in natural philosophy he became Professor 

 of Physics at Anderson's Institute, Glasgow, and later Professor of Physics 

 and Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1799-1801). Died London. 



Gaskin, Rev. Thos., F.R.S. (1810-1887), b. Penrith. Educated Sedbergh 

 and St. John's College, Cambridge. Second wrangler, second Smith's 

 prizeman, 1831. Fellow and Tutor, Jesus College. F.R.S., 1839. Moved 

 to Cheltenham, 1855, and spent the rest of his life there, teaching private 

 pupils. Wrote many mathematical papers. Died Cheltenham. 



Gough, John (1757-1825), b. Kendal. Eldest son of a Quaker shearman- 

 dyer. Robbed of his sight when a child, he trained his sense of touch and 

 became an accomplished botanist. He quickly mastered mathematics, which 

 he taught to John Dalton (g.v.). Wrote some 50 essays on a wide variety of 

 scientific topics with a skill and accuracy amazing in one who was so long 

 blind. Died at Kendal. 



