Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Higgins, Bryan

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1389034Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 26 — Higgins, Bryan1891Gordon Goodwin ‎

HIGGINS, BRYAN, M.D. (1737?–1820), physician and chemist, was born in co. Sligo about 1737. On 5 Oct. 1765 he entered Leyden University and proceeded M.D. (Leyden Students, Index Society, p. 49). He then commenced practice in London. In July 1774 he opened a school of practical chemistry in Greek Street, Soho, and published a syllabus of his first course of lectures in 1775. During that year he had a dispute with Priestley, whom he accused of having plagiarised some of his experiments on air. Priestley replied in a lengthy pamphlet entitled ‘Philosophical Empiricism,’ 8vo, 1775. In 1776 Higgins published a part of his course of lectures under the title of ‘A Philosophical Essay concerning Light. Vol. I.,’ 8vo, London. On 8 Jan. 1779 he obtained letters patent for a cheap and durable cement, which he advertised in a treatise called ‘Experiments and Observations made with the view of improving the art of composing and applying calcareous Cements and of preparing Quick-lime; and Specification of the Author's … Cement,’ 8vo, London, 1780. An Italian version appeared in C. Amoretti and F. Soave's ‘Opuscoli scelti sulle scienze,’ 4to, 1778, &c. In 1786 he published his best-known work, which appears also to have formed the subject of some of his lectures, with the title of ‘Experiments and Observations relating to Acetous Acid, Fixable Air, … Oils, and Fuel,’ &c., 8vo, London. Some time between 1780 and 1790 Higgins visited Russia, apparently by invitation of the Empress Catherine. He resumed his lectures in Greek Street in January 1794, and in 1795 issued an extended syllabus of his course, describing the experiments made as ‘Minutes of the Society for Philosophical Experiments and Conversations,’ 8vo, London. When, on 14 Dec. 1796, committees were appointed by the House of Assembly, Jamaica, for the improvement of the manufacture of Muscovado sugar and rum, Higgins was engaged to assist them, and he resided at Spanish Town during 1797, 1798, and 1799. Part of the result of his labours was published as ‘Observations and Advices,’ 2 pts., 8vo, St. Jago de la Vega, 1797–1800. A third part was announced for immediate publication, and a fragment of the fourth part appeared at Jamaica in 1803. Higgins died in 1820. He married Jane, daughter and heiress of J. Welland. His other writings are: 1. ‘Observations on the Floating Ice … in high Northern and Southern latitudes. To which are added Experiments on the Freezing of Sea Water,’ appended to the Hon. Daines Barrington's ‘The Probability of reaching the North Pole,’ 4to, London, 1775–6. 2. ‘Synopsis of the Medicinal Contents of the most noted Mineral Waters, analysed by Dr. Higgins at the instance of I. Ellison’ [edited by the latter], 8vo [London], 1788. Higgins was more successful as a speculator than an experimentalist, and many of his views are, for their time, ‘remarkable for their acuteness and generalising character.’

[W. K. Sullivan in Dublin Quarterly Journal of Medical Science, new ser. viii. 483–7; Higgins's Works.]

G. G.