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Authorised form of nameForbes; James David (1809 - 1868); natural philosopher
Dates1809 - 1868
NationalityBritish
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Date of birth20 April 1809
Date of death31 December 1868
Research fieldPhysics
Geology
ActivityCareer:
Co-operated with Sir David Brewster to found the British Association; Professor of Natural Philosophy, Edinburgh (1833-1859); Secretary Royal Society of Edinburgh (1840-1851); Principal of St Andrews University (1859)
Memberships:
FRSE; FGS
Membership categoryFellow
Date of election09/06/1832
Royal Society activityMedals and prizes:
Rumford Medal 1838; Royal Medal 1843
Lectures:
Bakerian 1842 and 1846
RelationshipsFather of George Forbes FRS (1849-1936)
SourcesSources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB
Obituaries:
Proc Roy Soc 1870-1871 vol 19 pp i-ix
References:
J S Rowlinson, 'The Theory of Glaciers' in NR 1971 vol 26 pp 189-204
Notes:
DSB gives place of death as 'Clifton, Scotland', but cannot find such a place in Gazetteer. Elected FRSE at the age of 19 (1828?)
Virtual International Authority Filehttp://viaf.org/viaf/106965464
Royal Society codeNA6280
Archives associated with this Fellow
Reference numberTitleDate
MM/21/59Letter from James David Forbes to Williams & Morgate4 December 1864
MM/4/41Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh, to General Sabine21 March 1857
MM/10/179A formula for 'the law of decrease of heat in the atmosphere as we ascend above the surface of the earth' by James D Forbes1 July 1834
MM/16/138Letter from James D Forbes, Athenaeum, to Sir John Herschel11 June 1850
IM/001492Forbes, James Davidnd
MC/2/130Letter from James David Forbes, Plymouth, to Dr. [Peter Mark] Roget, [Secretary of the Royal Society]1 July 1834
RR/2/163Referee's report by James David Forbes, on a paper 'On the descent of glaciers' by Reverad Henry Moseley12 June 1855
RR/1/174Referee's report by James David Forbes, on a paper 'Nouveau faits à ajouter à la theorie de la chaleuret à celle de l'evaporation' by Pavet12 July 1843
MS/257/2/163Letter from James David Forbes, Fettercairn to Edward Sabine9 August 1845
MS/426/343Copy letter from C R [Charles Richard] Weld, the Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society; to J D [James David] Forbes, Esq7 November 1848
MS/426/349Copy letter from C R [Charles Richard] Weld, the Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society; to Prof J D [James David] Forbes22 November 1848
MS/257/2/167Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh to Edward Sabine10 March 1849
MS/426/360Copy letter from C R [Charles Richard] Weld, the Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society; to J D [James David] Forbes, Edinburgh4 January 1849
EC/1832/23Forbes, James David: certificate of election to the Royal Society
PT/30/13Paper, 'Illustrations of the viscous theory of glaciers, Part III' by James D [David] Forbes10 January 1845
PT/30/12/5Plate, figure 3 showing the position of a theodolite in relation to Les Echellets by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
PT/30/11/3Plate, figures 3-4 showing relation of ripple marks to channel of gutter in Pisa by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/12/3Plate, figure 1 showing a topographical sketch of the Mer de Glace by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
PT/30/12/4Plate, 'Mark on les Echellets' by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
PT/30/11/7Plate, 'Glacier of La Gria or Bourget' by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/11/1Manuscript, 'On the viscous theory of glacier motion. Part I. Containing experiments on the flow of plastic bodies, and observations on the phenomena of lava streams' by James D [David] Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/11/5Plate, figures 6-7 showing the direction of a stream of lava and cracks within the lava by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/11/2Plate, figures 1-2 showing a model for testing effect of friction on plastic masses by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/12/1Manuscript, 'On the viscous theory of glacier motion, Part II. An attempt to establish by observation the plasticity of glacier ice' by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
PT/30/11/4Plate, figure 5 showing dislocation of lava in Fossa della Vetrana by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/11/6Plate, figure 8 showing lava curving around a rock by James David Forbes26 February 1845
PT/30/12/2Plate, figures A and B showing glaciers shaped by friction and contraction by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
MC/2Volume 2 of miscellaneous correspondence regarding business matters, sent to the Royal Society1832-1838
RR/1/71Referee's report by Henry Holland, on a paper 'On the temperatures and geological relations of certain hot springs, particularly those of the Pyrenees; and on the verification of thermometers' by James David Forbes17 June 1836
MC/2/83Letter from James David Forbes, London, to James Hudson, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society13 May 1833
MC/4/112Letter from Samuel Hunter Christie, [Secretary of the Royal Society] The Common, Woolwich, to Charles Richard Weld, [Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society]16 December 1845
PT/30/12Paper, 'On the viscous theory of glacier motion, Part II. An attempt to establish by observation the plasticity of glacier ice' by James D [David] ForbesJuly 1845
PT/22/4Letter, additions to paper titled 'Note relative to the supposed origin of the deficient rays in the solar spectrum; being an account of an experiment made at Edinburgh during the annular eclipse of 15th May 1836' from James David Forbes to J G [John George] Children13 December 1836
RR/1bis/15Referee's report by James David Forbes, on a paper 'On the use of the barometric thermometer for the determination relative heights' by James Robert Christie27 April 1846
MS/257/1/240Copy of part of a letter from John Allan Broun, Makerstoun, Kelso to James David Forbes 18 March 1843
RR/1bis/19Referee's report by James David Forbes, on a paper 'On the diurnal temperature of the Earth’s surface, and the discussion of a simple formula for ascertaining the same' by S M Drach23 May 1842
AP/36/13Paper, 'Remarks on the Rev H [Henry] Moseley's theory of the descent of glaciers' by James D [David] Forbes21 May 1855
MS/257/2/165Letter from James David Forbes, Fettercairn to Edward Sabine20 October 1845
MS/257/2/162Letter from James David Forbes, Fettercairn to Edward Sabine2 August 1845
MS/257/2/164Letter from James David Forbes, Fettercairn to Edward Sabine18 August 1845
MS/257/2/170Letter from James David Forbes, Melrose to Edward Sabine24 July 1849
MS/257/2/169Letter from James David Forbes, Athenaeum to Edward Sabine10 June 1849
MS/257/2/160Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh to Professor [Arnold Henry] Guyot16 March 1841
MS/257/2/168Letter from James David Forbes, Athenaeum to Edward Sabine9 June 1849
MS/257/2/166Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh to Edward Sabine1 February 1848
MS/257/2/171Letter from James David Forbes, Phesdo by Laurencekirk to Edward Sabine29 August 1850
MS/257/2/161Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh to Professor [Arnold Henry] Guyot28 April 1842
MS/257/2/172Letter from James David Forbes, Edinburgh to Edward Sabine30 June 1856
PT/30/11Paper, 'On the viscous theory of glacier motion. Part I. Containing experiments on the flow of plastic bodies, and observations on the phenomena of lava streams' by James D [David] Forbes26 February 1845
RR/1bis/21Second referee's report by James David Forbes, on a paper 'On the diurnal temperature of the Earth’s surface, and the discussion of a simple formula for ascertaining the same' by S M Drach10 May 1843
PT/74/3/29Graphs, projections of errors of Troughton's and Crichton's thermometers by [James David Forbes?][1836]
MC/14/229Letter from [George James] Symons, 62 Camden Square, London, to the Secretaries of the Royal Society15 June 1887
MC/14Volume 14 of miscellaneous correspondence regarding business matters, sent to the Royal Society1885-1888
MM/16/137Letter from James D Forbes, Athenaeum, to Sir John Herschel4 June 1840
HS/7/312Draft letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes26 November 1849
HS/7/286Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh4 October 1833
HS/7/304Incomplete copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes19 January 1843
HS/7/292Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh19 January 1837
HS/7/316Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Pitlochry16 July 1858
HS/7/308Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh3 February 1847
HS/7/299Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh12 January 1842
HS/7/300Printed letter, from James David Forbes to Pierre Jean Édouard Desor, dated at Edinburgh11 March 1842
HS/22/54Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James [David] Forbes10 June 1840
HS/7/282Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh1 February 1833
HS/7/285Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Royal Society, London13 May 1833
HS/7/290Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at London12 August 1836
HS/7/310Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Trinity Lodge, Cambridge29 May 1849
MS/426/433Copy letter from S [Samuel] Hunter Christie, Secretary of the Royal Society; to Dr Lloyd; to [George Biddell] Airy; to Sir D [David] Brewster; to J [John Frederick William] Herschel; to Prof [James David] Forbes; W H [William Hallowes] Miller; Baden Powell; and Dr Thewell16 November 1850
HS/7/309Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh4 March 1847
HS/7/297Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh26 March 1841
HS/7/303Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at 3 Bolton St., Piccadilly14 May 1842
HS/7/283Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh6 April 1833
HS/7/281Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh13 December 1832
HS/7/305Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh23 January 1843
HS/7/307Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh12 July 1845
HS/7/318Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh3 November 1859
HS/7/275Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at 23 Suffolk St., Pall Mall23 May 1831
HS/7/276Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Greenhill, Edinburgh10 May 1832
HS/7/302Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at 3 Bolton St., Piccadilly12 May 1842
HS/7/317Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh19 March 1859
HS/7/289Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh25 October 1835
HS/7/298Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh30 December 1841
HS/7/314Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh19 May 1858
HS/7/306Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Edinburgh11 January 1845
HS/7/284Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh28 April 1833
HS/22/320Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood22 June 1847
HS/22/44Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes13 March 1840
HS/23/258Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood22 March 1859
HS/22/15Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Royal Society6 June 1839
HS/25/4/11Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Feldhausen30 May 1835
HS/7/301Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh6 April 1842
HS/25/6/1Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough3 March 1840
HS/25/3/8Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough5 August 1832
HS/21/213Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes15 November 1836
HS/21/151Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough16 October 1833
HS/21/129Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough20 February 1833
HS/22/304Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood1 March 1847
HS/22/115Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes9 April 1842
HS/22/122Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood2 June 1842
HS/22/241Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood10 June 1845
HS/22/5Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough30 March 1839
HS/22/246Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood11 August 1845
HS/22/62Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood10 August 1840
HS/23/108Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at 32 Harley St.October 1851
HS/23/93Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood31 October 1850
HS/7/287Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh5 February 1835
HS/7/294Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Bourg d'Oysans9 July 1839
HS/7/295Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh9 March 1840
HS/7/296Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh17 August 1840
HS/7/313Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh6 November 1850
HS/7/315Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh8 June 1858
HS/25/6/15Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood15 November 1842
HS/7/311Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh23 November 1849
HS/7/279Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Locarno2 October 1832
HS/7/280Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh1 December 1832
HS/7/278Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Spa17 July 1832
HS/7/291Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh14 November 1836
HS/21/110Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough23 May 1832
HS/21/229Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Feldhausen25 September 1837
HS/7/277Copy letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Greenhill, Edinburgh26 May 1832
HS/7/288Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at London27 May 1835
HS/7/293Letter, from James David Forbes to Sir John Herschel, dated at Edinburgh14 February 1837
HS/21/124Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Slough7 December 1832
HS/23/187Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood14 January 1857
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