Willis, Robert, Frs, Fgs

Willis, Robert, F.R.S., F.G.S.

an English clergyman and scientist, was born in London in 1800. He graduated at Caius College, Cambridge, in 1826, and gained a fellowship, which he subsequently vacated; took orders in the Church of England; was early distinguished for his researches in physical science, particularly acoustics and the physics of oral language, the philosophy of mechanism and machinery, and the mathematical and mechanical philosophy of ancient architecture; became a fellow of the Royal Society April 22, 1830; was appointed Jacksonian professor of natural and experimental philosophy at Cambridge in 1837; made a tour of France, Germany, and Italy for the study of architecture in 1832-33; and became a profound architectural historian. He was a member of many scientific associations, before which he delivered many addresses; invented several philosophical instruments; and died at Cambridge, Feb. 28,1875. As a lecturer in his own department he was unrivalled. He was the author of numerous works on scientific subjects, among which may be mentioned, Remarks on the Architecture of the Middle Ages, Especially of Italy (1835): — Report of a Survey of the Dilapidated Portions of Hereford Cathedral in the Year 1841: — Principles of Mechanism for Students (1841): — Architectural History of Canterbury Cathedral (1845): — Architectural History of Winchester Cathedral (eod.): — Architectural History of York Cathedral (1846): — Architectural History of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem (1849): — and Architectural History of Glastonbury Abbey (1866).