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Born at Greenoek, January 19th, 1736 ; died at Heathfield, Soho. August 25th, 1810.

The celebrated natural philosopher and engineer; the great improver of the steam engine. In 1784 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the year following, of that of London. In 1787 he was chosen a member of the Batavian Society. In 1808 the University of Glasgow conferred upon him the honorary dignity of LL.D. In 1808 he was elected a corresponding member of the Institute of France, and in 1814 one of the eight foreign associates— the highest honour they could confer — of the Academy of Sciences of the same Institute. A statue to his memory was erected in Westminster Abbey, another in Glasgow, another in the Hunterian Museum, and two in Edinburgh; the same hom- age has been paid to his name and genius in his native city. This portrait was painted by desire of Mr. Watt, to be presented to his friend, Dr. Ban*. It was sold at Dr. Smith's sale to Professor Fleming, from whom Mr. Napier ac- quired it.