BELL, Andrew, D.D., a clergyman of the English Church, who is well known for his philanthropic efforts in the cause of education, and more particularly for his success in extending the monitory system of instruction in schools. He was the projector and founder of those admirable institutions called national schools; and the author of An Experiment in Education at the Male Asylum, Madras; and of Instructions for conducting Schools on the Madras system, &c., &c. Dr Bell was born at St Andrews in 1753, and received his education in the university there. Some of his early years were spent in America; and he was afterwards chaplain to Fort St George, and minister of St Mary's at Madras. During his residence in the East Indies he acquired considerable property; which, together with some lucrative preferments in England, enabled him to bequeath no less than £120,000 in support of national institutions and public charities. This benevolent man died at Cheltenham in 1832, and his remains were interred in Westminster Abbey.
To the liberality of Dr Bell St Andrews is indebted for the foundation of Madras College.