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BEATSON, ROBERT, LL.D. an
ingenious and useful author, was a native of Dysart, where he was born in
1742. Being educated with a view to the military profession, he obtained
an ensigncy in 1756, at the commencement of the seven years’ war. He
served next year in the expedition to the coast of France, and afterwards,
as lieutenant, in the attack on Martinique, and the taking of Guadaloupe.
In 1766, he retired on half-pay, and did not again seek to enter into
active life till the breaking out of the American war. Having failed on
this occasion to obtain an appointment suitable to his former services, he
resolved to apply himself to another profession – that of literature –
for which he had all along had considerable taste. His publications were,
1, "A Political Index to the Histories of Great Britain and
Ireland," 1 vol. 8 vo. 1786, of which a third edition in 3 volumes
was published at a late period of his life. This work consists chiefly of
accurate and most useful lists of all the ministers and other principal
officers of the state, from the earliest time to the period of its
publication. 2, "Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, from
1727 to the present time," 3 vols. 8 vo. 1790; 2nd
edition, 6 vols. 1804. 3, "View of the Memorable Action of the 27th
of July, 1778," 8 vo. 1791. 4, "Essay on the Comparative
Advantages of Vertical and Horizontal Windmills," 8vo. 1798. 5,
"Chronological Register of both Houses of Parliament, from 1705 to
1807," 3 vols. 8 vo. 1807. Besides some communications to the board
of agriculture, of which he was an honourary member. This laborious author
enjoyed in his latter years the situation of barrack-master at Aberdeen,
where, if we are not mistaken, he received his degree of LL.D. He died at
Edinburgh, January 24, 1818.
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