William Small

William Small
Tilly Kettle (1735–1786) was a portrait painter · Public domain · source
Name	William Small
Birth date	1734
Birth place	Carmyllie, Angus, Scotland
Death date	1775
Death place	Birmingham, England
Occupation	Physician, tutor, and Instrument maker
Known for	Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt associations

William Small was a Scottish physician, tutor, and instrument maker who played a significant role in the lives of several prominent figures, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt. Born in Carmyllie, Angus, Scotland, Small studied at Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland, and later at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned his medical degree. He was also influenced by the works of Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle. Small's education and interests laid the foundation for his future interactions with notable individuals, such as Joseph Black and Adam Smith.

● Early Life and Education

Small's early life and education were marked by his attendance at Marischal College and the University of Edinburgh, where he was exposed to the ideas of David Hume and Adam Ferguson. His medical education was also influenced by the works of Hippocrates and Galen. Small's time at the University of Edinburgh coincided with the Scottish Enlightenment, a period that saw significant contributions from thinkers like Francis Hutcheson and Dugald Stewart. During this period, Small developed an interest in natural philosophy and mathematics, which would later serve him well in his interactions with Benjamin Franklin and James Watt.

● Career

Small's career as a physician and tutor took him to London and later to Birmingham, England, where he became acquainted with Matthew Boulton and James Watt. His work as a tutor allowed him to interact with students like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who would later become prominent figures in the American Revolution. Small's association with Benjamin Franklin led to an introduction to the works of René Descartes and Blaise Pascal. His career also involved collaborations with Joseph Priestley and Erasmus Darwin, with whom he shared an interest in botany and chemistry. Small's work as an instrument maker led to the development of various devices, including those related to horology and optics, which were influenced by the works of Christiaan Huygens and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.

● Associations and Legacy

Small's associations with prominent figures like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Watt have had a lasting impact on his legacy. His interactions with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson played a role in shaping their views on politics and philosophy, which were influenced by the works of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Small's connection to James Watt and Matthew Boulton contributed to the development of the steam engine, a key innovation of the Industrial Revolution. His legacy is also tied to the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a group that included Erasmus Darwin, Joseph Priestley, and James Watt, and was influenced by the works of Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Small's contributions to the fields of medicine, natural philosophy, and instrument making have been recognized by institutions like the Royal Society and the University of Edinburgh.

● Personal Life

Small's personal life was marked by his relationships with his students, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who would later become close friends. His interactions with Benjamin Franklin and James Watt were also significant, as they shared an interest in science and technology. Small's personal life was also influenced by his connections to Scotland and the Scottish Enlightenment, which was characterized by the works of David Hume and Adam Smith. His relationships with Joseph Black and Adam Ferguson reflect the strong intellectual bonds that existed among the thinkers of the time, including Immanuel Kant and Voltaire.

● Later Life and Death

Small's later life was marked by his continued involvement in the Lunar Society of Birmingham and his associations with James Watt and Matthew Boulton. His health began to decline, and he died in 1775 in Birmingham, England, at the age of 41. Small's death was mourned by his friends and acquaintances, including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who recognized the significant contributions he had made to their lives and work. His legacy continues to be celebrated by institutions like the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Society, which have acknowledged the importance of his contributions to medicine, natural philosophy, and instrument making, alongside the works of Andreas Vesalius and Galileo Galilei. Category:18th-century Scottish people