Gilbert William

Gilbert, William (1510-1603), one of the earliest natural philosophers of England, was born at Colchester. Having graduated and become fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, he practised medicine in London, and became physician to Elizabeth and James I. In 1600, when he was made president of the College of Physicians, he published his New Physiology of the Magnet and Magnetic Bodies, and the Earth as a Great Magnet. In this book, which was highly praised by Bacon, he investigated and illustrated the properties of the magnet, and showed their application to navigation. His collection of books, globes and instruments, bequeathed to the College of Physicians, perished in the Great Fire of 1666. Of him Dryden wrote, "Gilbert shall live till loadstones cease to draw."