Patrick Wilson (astronomer)
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- Astronomy
- Mathematics
- Meteorology
- Type-making
Patrick Wilson | |
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 Miniature of Patrick Wilson, 1796, from Scottish National Portrait Gallery | |
| Born | 16 January 1743 St Andrews, Scotland |
| Died | 31 December 1811 (aged 68) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields |
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| Institutions | University of Glasgow |
Patrick Wilson FRSE LLD (often Anglicised as Peter Wilson)[1] (1743 – 1811) was a Scottish astronomer, type-founder, mathematician and meteorologist. He was the Regius Professor of Practical Astronomy at the University of Glasgow from 1784 to 1799.
In 1783 he was one of the several joint founders of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Wilson was born on 16 January 1743, the second son of Jean Sharp and Alexander Wilson, the first Regius Professor of Practical Astronomy the University of Glasgow.[2] He was appointed his father's successor in 1784 before his father resigned the position. Likely due to the failing health of his father, they shared the role until his father's death in 1786.[3]
He was Clerk of the University Senate from 1783 to 1795 and 1796 to 1799, and was awarded an honorary LLD in 1800. In 1782 he was employed as an assistant to his father, to take care of instruments, make observations, and help with teaching.
Patrick Wilson continued his father's type-founding business in Glasgow. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 17 November 1783.[4] Also in 1783, Patrick was elected Clerk to the Senate of the University. He was re-elected each year until 1799 with the exception of 1795, when the Senate minutes record that Patrick Cumin was elected in his absence.
Wilson was appointed Regius Professor of Practical Astronomy to succeed his father in 1784, but his father retained the post until his death in 1786. At the end of his period in office in 1799, Wilson bequeathed scientific instruments to the University and £1,000, the interest on which was to be used to support his successors in the Chair.
He appears to have left Glasgow in 1799 and thereafter lived in London.
He died in Kensington Square, London on 30 December 1811.[5]