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George. Birkbeck, M.D.

Pabashed by tienry Fisner Caxton, London Jan 1,1825.

THE

Emperial Magazine;

OR, COMPENDIUM OF

RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE.

JAN.

"READING IS THE CIRCULATING MEDIUM OF INTELLECTUAL COMMERCE."

[1625.

MEMOIR OF GEORGE BIRKBECK, M. D. mitting attention to study, can be con

(With a Portrait.)

AMONG the distinguished characters of the present day, few persons are more generally known, and scarcely one is more deservedly celebrated, than the subject of this memoir. In the direct line of his profession, he holds a conspicuous rank; his preeminent skill having procured for him an extensive and honourable patronage, and his success secured the entire confidence of his numerous and highly respectable friends.

But, independently of the reputation which he has obtained by an able discharge of the duties of his station, fame is not silent respecting his exalted attainments in various other departments of science, which he has also found time to cultivate. In the mechanical branches, more particularly, his talents have shone with peculiar lustre; and men of eminence have paid a tribute of respect to his abilities and acquirements, by attending his lectures, and co-operating in his designs. Thus countenanced and supported, he has laid the foundation of an Institution, in London, which promises to be of vast utility to the mechanical genius of our country, and highly beneficial to the human race.

sidered as a passport to fame, it is but fair to infer that more honours still await him.

Of a gentleman thus distinguished by his merits in the eyes of his enlightened and learned countrymen, we cannot for a moment doubt that the portrait will prove highly gratifying to our numerous readers. At the same time, we flatter ourselves that the memoirs of his life will be even more than equally acceptable to all who delight to trace the progress of intellect, pursuing its march through the thorny paths of science, to a point of eminence which no patronage can confer, and no superiority of genius, without unremitting application, can ever presume to reach.

Dr. George Birkbeck was the youngest son of William Birkbeck, Esq. an eminent merchant and banker of Settle, in Yorkshire, in which place he was born, in the year 1776. At a very early age he manifested strong indications of a disposition for me|chanical pursuits, delighting to frequent those workshops in which such articles were made as corresponded with his yet undeveloped genius, and embracing every opportunity of scizing and using the tools of carpenters, and other workmen, whenever they came within his grasp. A cotton mill having been erected in the neighbour-' hood, during his childhood,-from his strong attachment to machinery, he was solicitous to be employed among the children connected with this esta

portunity of watching its various movements, and tracing with minuteness the connexions and bearings of its complicated parts.

DR. BIRKBECK's name is well known to numerous scientific bodies, both in England and Scotland; and the marks of honourable distinction which he has received from many learned associations in each, furnish incontest-blishment, that he might have an opable evidence that their leading members know how to estimate his talents. He is at present a member of the Royal College of Physicians, and Physician to the General Dispensary; President of the London Mechanics' Institution; Patron of the Glasgow Mechanics' Institution; President of the Meteorological Society; and Member of the Astronomical, Geological, and Medical and Chirurgical Societies in London; and if activity and unre73.-VOL. VII.

When eight years of age, he was placed at a school in a village called Newton, on the borders of Lancashire, where he remained about six years. During this period he acquired the rudiments of arithmetical: and classical knowledge, and thus became qualified for entering on more

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