Andrew Ure

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Andrew Ure
Andrew Ure
Andrew Ure
Born May 18, 1778
Glasgow, Scotland
Died January 2, 1857
London, England
Field Chemistry and natural philosophy
Institution Anderson College, Glasgow

Andrew Ure (pronounced to rhyme with "Pure") (18 May 17782 January 1857) was a Scottish doctor. Born in Glasgow, he gained fame by his speeches and writings that advocated the great benefits of industrial capitalism. His The Philosophy of Manufactures, published in 1835 played an important role in molding a public opinion on the factory system amid critical debates on factory reform and new poor laws. This set out the basis of the factory system of production. It also defended the working conditions of factories during the Industrial Revolution in Britain.

His A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines was well received. An 1875 review provides some indication of this:

Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines. By Robert Hunt, F.R.S., Keeper of Mining Records, &c., &c., assisted by F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., and by numerous contributors eminent in science and familiar with manufactures. Seventh edition, in three volumes. (London: Longmans, 1875.)
This well-known work, of which the seventh edition is now before us, first made its appearance in the past generation. During the life-time of its original projector and editor, Dr. Andrew Ure, it undoubtedly contributed largely to advance the education and progress of our manufacturing and industrial classes, and well-thumbed copies of it are to be found on the library shelves of all the "Mechanics' Institutions" which the educational revival of thirty years ago scattered over the land.
We find from the preface that since 1858, when the present editor took charge of the work, three editions, including the present, have appeared, so that its reputation as a standard work of reference appears to be still maintained.[1]

Ure fundamentally rejected the darker side of capitalism, arguing that workers were "willing menials," who were provided with "abundant food and accommodations without perspiring from a single pore."

He died in 1857 while living in London.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Nature, July 8, 1875, p. 182.


[edit] External Links

Farrar, W. V. (1973). "Andrew Ure, F.R.S., and the Philosophy of Manufactures," Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 27, No. 2. (Feb., 1973), pp. 299-324.

Persondata
NAME Ure, Andrew
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Chemist, natural philosopher
DATE OF BIRTH May 18, 1778
PLACE OF BIRTH Glasgow
DATE OF DEATH January 2, 1857
PLACE OF DEATH London
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