GEORGE, an English physician and philanthropist, born in Yorkshire in 1776. He early evinced a strong predilection for scientific pursuits; and shortly after graduating as doctor of medicine, he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy at the Andersonian Institution of Glasgow. In 1804, with a view to the improvement of the working-classes of that town, he delivered for their behoof a gratuitous course of scientific lectures. From Glasgow he removed to London, where he endeavoured to prosecute his philanthropic schemes, at first without obtaining much encouragement, but ultimately with marked success. In 1827 he contributed to found the Mechanics' Institute. His coadjutors in this undertaking were Bentham, Wilkie, Cobbett, and other distinguished men. He was appointed director of the Institute, which he had originally endowed with the sum of £3700. This office he held till his death, which took place on the 1st December 1841.