an eminent experimental philosopher, mechanist, and astronomer, was born in Banffshire, Scotland, in 1714. His parents were very poor. At an early age, however, his extraordinary genius began to unfold itself. He first learned to read by overhearing his father teach his elder brother; and he had made this acquisition before any one suspected he had done so. He soon discovered a peculiar taste for mechanics, which first indicated itself on seeing his father use a lever; and having pursued this study a considerable time, even when very young, he at length made a watch in wood work, from having once seen one. As he had no instructor, nor any help from books, every thing he learned had all the merit of an original discovery; and such in fact he very naturally believed it to be. As soon as his age permitted he went out to service; but he met with hardships in this humble capacity, which rendered his constitution feeble through life. Whilst he was servant to a farmer, whose goodness he acknowledged in the modest account of himself which he prefixed to his Mechanical Exercises, he frequently contemplated the stars; and he began the study of astronomy by laying down, from his own observations alone, a celestial globe. His kind master observing these marks of his ingenuity, procured him the countenance and assistance of some neighbouring gentlemen, by whose help and instructions he went on acquiring further knowledge, and was at length sent to Edinburgh. There, having obtained some notion of drawing, he began to take portraits in miniature, by which means he supported himself and family for several years, both in Scotland and England, whilst engaged in pursuing more serious studies. In London he first published some curious astronomical tables and calculations, and afterwards gave public lectures on experimental philosophy, which he repeated in most of the principal towns in England with general approbation. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society without paying for admission; and he had a pension of L50 per annum given him, unsolicited, by King George III. on his accession, who had heard his lectures, and who frequently sent for and conversed with him on curious topics. He also received several presents from his majesty, and from other patrons of merit. The degree of consideration which Mr Ferguson attained by the strength of his natural genius alone is in fact known to every one. He was universally considered as at the head of astronomy and mechanics in this nation of philosophers; and he might justly be styled self-taught, or rather heaven-taught; for in his whole life he had not received above half a year's instruction at school. He was a man of the clearest judgment and the most unrewarded application to study; benevolent, gentle, and innocent in his manners as a child; humble, courteous, and communicative; and, instead of pedantry, philosophy seemed to have produced in him only diffidence and urbanity. He died in 1776, at the age of sixty-two.

The following is a list of Mr Ferguson's published works:

1. Astronomical Tables, and Precepts for calculating the true times of New and Full Moon, 1768; 2. Tables and Tracts relative to several Arts and Sciences; 3. An Easy Introduction to Astronomy, 1769, second edition; 4. Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles, 1772, fifth edition; 5. Lectures on select subjects in Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, and Optics, 1772, fourth edition; 6. Select Mechanical Exercises, with a short account of the Life of the Author by himself, 1773; 7. The Art of Drawing in Perspective made easy, 1775; 8. An Introduction to Electricity, 1775; 9. Two Letters to the Reverend Mr John Kennedy, 1775; 10. A Third Letter to the Reverend Mr John Kennedy, 1775. Mr Ferguson also communicated several papers to the Royal Society, which were printed in their Transactions. In 1805, a valuable edition of his Lectures was published at Edinburgh by Dr. new Sir David, Brewster, in two volumes 8vo, with notes and an appendix, intended to adapt the whole to the actual state of science.