William Small

William Small(1734–1775) was aScottishphysician and a professor of natural philosophy at theCollege of William and MaryinWilliamsburg, Virginia.There he became an influential mentor ofThomas Jefferson,who went on to be a leading proponent of theAmerican Revolution,principal author of theDeclaration of Independence,and the third President of the United States. From 1765, Small was an influential medical doctor in Birmingham, England, where he was a member of theLunar Society.

A circa 1765 portrait of Small byTilly Kettle

Early life and education

Small was born inCarmyllieinAngus, Scotland,the son of aPresbyterianminister James Small and his wife Lillias Scott, and younger brother toDr Robert Small.He attendedDundee Grammar School,and thenMarischal Collegeat theUniversity of Aberdeen,where he received anMAin 1755.

Career

Jefferson's professor

In 1758, he was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy at theCollege of William and MaryinWilliamsburg, Virginia,then one ofBritain's American colonies.

Small wasThomas Jefferson's professor at theCollege of William & Mary,and had an influence on the young Jefferson. Small introduced Jefferson to members ofVirginiasociety who proved influential in Jefferson's life, includingGeorge Wythe,a leading jurist in thecoloniesandFrancis Fauquier,theGovernor of Virginia.

Recalling his years as a student, Jefferson described Small as:

a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and a large and liberal mind... from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science and of the system of things in which we are placed.

Return to England

In 1764, Small returned to Britain with a letter of introduction toMatthew BoultonfromBenjamin Franklin.Through this connection with Franklin, Small helped form theLunar Society,a club of scientists and industrialists.

In 1765, he received hisMDdegree and established a medical practice inBirmingham,where he shared a house with fellow physicianJohn Ash,the chief campaigner for the Birmingham infirmary. Small was Boulton's physician and became a close friend ofErasmus Darwin,Thomas Day,James Keir,James Watt,Anna Seward,and others connected with the Lunar Society. Small was among the most popular members of the society and an active contributor to the society's debates.

Small helped to bring theTheatre Royalto Birmingham in 1774 and, together with Ash, was involved in planning and buildingBirmingham General Hospital,which was completed in 1779.

Death

Small died inBirminghamon 25 February 1775 frommalariacontracted during his stay inVirginiaand was interred inSt. Philip's churchyardin Birmingham.

Legacy

A memorial to Small inBirmingham Cathedral

The William Small Physical Laboratory, which houses the Physics Department at theCollege of William & MaryinWilliamsburg, Virginia,is named in Small's honour.

References

Hull, Gillian (1997)."William Small 1734-1775: No Publications, Much Influence".Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.92(2): 102–105.doi:10.1177/014107689709000214.PMC1296150.PMID 9068443.
Walker, William T."Professor William Small 1734-1775".William & Mary.
Walcot, PatrickA Sketch of the Life of Dr William Small and his relationship with Matthew Boulton and James Watt.2016