Robert Watt (bibliographer)

The son of a small farmer in Bonnyton near Stewarton in Ayrshire, Watt attended school from the age of six to twelve.However, he gave up medical practice due to ill-health in 1817 and his lasting reputation rests on his work as a bibliographer.Bibliotheca Britannica was a much more extravagantly ambitious project: "A General Index on the Literature of Great Britain and Ireland Ancient and Modern including Such Foreign Books as have been translated into English or printed in the British Dominions, as also a copious selection from the writings of the most distinguished authors of all ages and nations.The support of Thomas Chalmers, James Ewing, George Jardine and Ralph Whitelaw was enlisted to ensure that publication would be completed.Paisley Public Library holds a manuscript of Bibliotheca Britannica in 57 folio volumes.
Robert Watt by Henry Raeburn
Henry RaeburnScottishphysicianbibliographerBonnytonStewartonAyrshireGlasgow UniversityEdinburgh UniversitymedicinePaisleyGlasgow Faculty of Physicians and Surgeonswhooping coughsmallpox vaccinationchild mortalityThomas ChalmersGeorge JardinequartoDiabetesConsumptionChincough