John Blair (c1300)
John Blair was a a Benedictine Monk who became Chaplain and Comrade in Arms to Sir William Wallace during his governorship of Scotland. He also wrote on the life of Wallace.
John Blair (died – 1782)
John was born and educated in Edinburgh but left Scotland in his youth, becoming usher of a school in Hedge Lane, London
In 1754, he published, ‘The Chronology and History of the World, from the Creation to the Year of Christ 1753. It was reprinted in 1756, 1768, and 1814. It was revised and enlarged ‘by Willoughby Rosse in Bohn’s ‘Scientific Library,’ 1856. In 1755 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
In 1757 he was appointed chaplain to Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha and mathematical tutor to the Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany. In 1761 he was chosen fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
Robert Blair (1748–1828)
Robert Blair was the first Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh (1785). He invented the aplanatic lens and also coined this term. This was a significant step in reducing the aberration in optical systems. He also experimented with hollow lenses, holding different solutions.