SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

John Robison

1739-02-04 – 1805-01-30

Portrait of John Robison
Portrait of John Robison (1739-1805)Credit: Henry Raeburn

Life & Legacy

John Robison FRSE (4 February 1739 – 30 January 1805) was a Scottish physicist and mathematician. He was a professor of natural philosophy (the precursor of natural science) at the University of Edinburgh.
A member of the Edinburgh Philosophical Society when it received its royal warrant, he was appointed as the first general secretary to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1783–98). Robison invented the siren and also worked with James Watt on an early steam car. Following the French Revolution, Robison became disenchanted with elements of the Enlightenment. He authored Proofs of a Conspiracy in 1797—a polemic accusing Freemasonry of being infiltrated by Weishaupt's Order of the Illuminati. His son was the inventor Sir John Robison (1778–1843).

Occupation & Career

mathematician, chemist, physicist, inventor, writer, philosopher, engineer

Education

University of Glasgow

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Employer

University of Edinburgh · University of Glasgow

Organizations & Memberships

Royal Society of Edinburgh · Russian Academy of Sciences · The Poker Club

Education & Institutions

University of Glasgow

Verified Legacy Record

Sources & Provenance

  1. Wikidata population candidate Q2496381 — wikidata View source

Are you related to John Robison?

Family members can contribute records, photographs and stories or request stewardship of this legacy.

Claim this legacy or contribute family history

View Family Tree