Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 2.djvu/139

 1865 and 1866. He published in full detail his meteorological observations in the 'British Association Reports' (1862–6). Subsequently he ascended in a captive balloon at Chelsea, at the invitation of its owner, Mr. Giffard, and made observations at low altitudes (cf. British Association Report, 1869). In 1809 Glaisher contributed an account of his ascents to 'Voyages Aériens,' in which C. Flammarion, W. D. Fonville, and G. Tissandier were his coadjutors. He afterwards superintended the production of the English edition of that book under the title 'Travels in the Air' (1871; new edit. 1880). The Aeronautical Society was founded in 1806, and Glaisher was its first treasurer. But his interest in aeronautics was always subsidiary to the scientific results to be obtained by their means. In spite of hi« devotion to meteorology, Glaisher always maintained his interest in astronomy and mathematical science. In 1875 he joined the committee of the British Association on mathematical tables of which his son, Dr. J. V. L. Glaisher, was reporter. With help supplied by a grant from the association he completed for this committee the 'Factor Tables' begun by Burckhardt in 1814 and continued by Dase in 1862-5. Glaisher computed the smallest factor of every number not divisible by 2, 3, or 5 of the fourth, fifth, and sixth millions, those of the first, second, third, seventh, eighth, and ninth millions having been dealt with by his predecessors. Glaisher published his enumerations in 3 vols. 4to, 1879-83.

After retiring from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, in 1874, Glaisher continued to supply his quarterly report to the registrar-general until the last year of his life. He took great interest in the Palestine Exploration Fund, being chairman of the executive committee from 1880; he contributed to the publications fifteen papers on meteorological observations made in Palestine.

Glaisher retained his vigour of mind and body until near his death at The Shola, Croydon, on 7 Feb. 1903, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. A bust presented by the fellows of the Royal Photographic Society in 1887 belongs to the Royal Meteorological Society.

Glaisher married in 1843 Cecilia Louisa, youngest daughter of Henry Belville, first assistant at the Royal Observatory. He had two sons and a daughter. Dr. James Whitbread Leo Glaisher, F.R.S., is his surviving son.

Besides the works cited and papers communicated to the Royal Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Meteorological Society, and the British Association, Glaisher translated Flammarion's 'Atmosphere' and Guillemin's 'World of Comets' (1876).  GLENESK, first Baron. [See, 1830–1908.]

GLOAG, PATON JAMES (1823–1906), theological writer, born at Perth on 17 May 1823, was eldest son in the family of six children of William Gloag, banker, by his wife Jessie Burn. William Ellis Gloag, Lord Kincairney [q. v. Suppl. II], was a younger brother. His eldest sister, Jessie Burn Gloag, established in Perth one of the first ragged schools in Scotland. After finishing his school training at Perth Academy in 1839, Gloag studied at Edinburgh University (1840–3). Owing mainly to the disruption of 1843 he left Edinburgh and completed at St. Andrews (1843–6) the curriculum preparatory for the ministry of the Church of Scotland.

Licensed a preacher by Perth presbytery on 10 June 1846, Gloag, from 1848 to 1857, was first assistant, and then successor, to Dr. Russell at Dunning, Perthshire, and from 1860 to 1870 was parish minister of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, where he provided a new parish church, and established a savings bank. Meanwhile he published 'A Treatise on Assurance of Salvation' (1853), 'A Treatise on Justification' (1850), 'Primeval World, or Relation of Geology to Theology' (1859), 'The Resurrection' (1862), and 'Practical Christianity' (1866). In 1857, 1862, and 1867 he visited Germany, where he made friends with Tholuck and other divines, and familiarised himself with German theological literature.

In 1871 he became parish minister of Galashiels, and while there greatly extended his reputation as preacher and author. In 1879 he was Baird lecturer, taking for his subject 'The Messianic Prophecies.' A new church was completed in 1881 to meet the needs of his growing congregation. Although no ardent ecclesiastic, he moved in the general assembly of the Church of Scotland of 1887 for the relaxation of the eldership test. In 1889 he was moderator