| John Millington, one of the four original faculty members at the University of Mississippi in 1848, was hired as a professor of natural sciences which included chemistry, geology, mineralogy, botany, and natural philosophy. His election to the first faculty at the age of 69 is greatly attributed to "his possession of an excellent collection of apparatus which he proposed to place at the service of the University."The English-born Millington served as a remarkable teacher to the University's first students. He attended Oxford, England, without attaining a degree but did study law, being admitted to the bar. Also he acquired an M.D. degree and was on the teaching staff at Guy's Hospital. He devoted himself to teaching and engineering and gained prominence in these areas.Later Millington opened a scientific shop for the manufacture of instruments in Philadelphia. This did not become a thriving business because science in the 1830's had not made a significant impact on America yet. Therefore, in 1835 Millington accepted a position as professor of chemistry, natural philosophy, and engineering at the College of William and Mary. Due to problems within the college which later led to its closure, Millington accepted the position in Mississippi, bringing with him his library and scientific instruments. He used the instruments for teaching demonstrations at the University. When he left the University five years later to teach at the Memphis Medical College, the University of Mississippi purchased much of his collection of scientific instruments. |
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