Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Millar, James
MILLAR, JAMES, M.D. (1762–1827), physician and miscellaneous writer, born at Ayr 4 Feb. 1762, distinguished himself in classics and science at Glasgow university. For some years he acted as tutor in Jamaica and afterwards was chaplain at Glasgow university. Removing to Edinburgh, he graduated M.D. and became fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He frequently lectured on natural history and chemistry, and was one of the physicians at the Edinburgh Dispensary, where he caught a fever and died 13 July 1827. He left a family ill provided for.
In 1807 Millar published in conjunction with William Vazie ‘Observations on the Advantages and Practicability of making Tunnels under Navigable Rivers, particularly applicable to the proposed Tunnel under the Forth,’ 8vo, Edinburgh. He also edited the fourth edition of the ‘Encyclopædia Britannica,’ 20 vols. 4to, Edinburgh, 1810, and the last fifteen volumes of the fifth edition of the same work, 20 vols., 4to, Edinburgh, 1817, and wrote largely in both editions. Millar also planned and edited a more popular dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature, the ‘Encyclopædia Edinensis,’ 6 vols. 4to, Edinburgh, 1827. His other publications, which are chiefly based on his articles contributed to the encyclopædias, include:
- ‘A Guide to Botany,’ 12mo, Edinburgh, 1819.
- ‘Elements of Chemistry,’ 8vo, Edinburgh, 1820.
- ‘Practical Observations on Cold and Warm Bathing, and descriptive Notices of Watering-places in Britain,’ 12mo, Edinburgh, 1821.
[Gent. Mag. 1827, pt. ii. pp. 276–7; Biog. Dict. of Living Authors, 1816,p. 233; Watt's Bibl. Brit.; Irving's Book of Scotsmen, p. 351.]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.198
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 5 f.e. | Millar, James: for (d. 1827) read (1762-1827) | ||
| 4 f.e. | after writer, insert born at Ayr on 4 Feb. 1762, | ||
| l.l. | after science, insert He acted for some years as a tutor in Jamaica, and afterwards as chaplain to the University of Glasgow. | ||
| ii | 6 | for in July read on 13 July |