William Smellie
- Name : Smellie
- Born : 1740
- Died : 1795
- Category : Writers
- Finest Moment : Editor 1st Edition Encyclopaedia Britannica
Born in Edinburgh's Pleasance district in 1740, Smellie was the son of a master builder and stonemason. He moved into paper building however, and at 12 was apprenticed into the printing trade. Living close by the University, Smellie was able to attend some of the lectures, becoming a distinguished natural historian through self-teaching.
His printing career was also distinguished. He became a master printer aged 25, and took on the responsibility for editing the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. This was published in 1768, some 15 major subject areas also having been written by him.
In 1780 he helped to found the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, while the following year he became keeper and superintendent of the Edinburgh Museum of Natural History. He had other writings published, including a translation of the Count de Buffon's Natural History, in 9 volumes (1781), and wrote The Philosophy of Natural History, 2 volumes (1790-99). He died in Edinburgh, on 24 June 1795.
The lighter side of him saw him as a friend of Robert Burns, who described him in a poem, Crochallan.
"Crochallan came, The old cock'd hat, the brown surtout the same; His grisly beard just bristling in its might" 'Twas four long nights and days to shaving-night; His uncomb'd, hoary locks, wild-staring, thatch'd A head, for thought profound and clear, unmatch'd; Yet, tho' his caustic wit was biting-rude, His heart was warm, benevolent and good.