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Playfair, John

1748-1819

John Playfair was born at Benvie, near Dundee and educated at St Andrews University. He served as Minister of Liff and Benvie from 1773 to 1783. Two years later he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh. It was here that he befriended the geologist, James Hutton. Hutton's revolutionary geological theory had a great impact on John who published 'Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory' (1802) and, in 1805, exchanged his Professorship of Mathematics for that of Natural Philosophy. He also undertook much foreign travel in order to examine more geological features to strengthen his arguments.
In his will John leaves 100 pounds sterling to his nephew William, who later became a celebrated architect.

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