John Millington

Early life and education Millington was born on 11 May 1779 in Hammersmith, London. He was baptized at St. George's Anglican Church. On 24 March 1796, he was confirmed in the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace.

He attended Oxford University but withdrew due to financial difficulties. In 1802 he married Emily Hamilton at the parish church of St James. The couple had six children.

That same year he was admitted to the bar, and for several years practiced as an attorney, with particular expertise in patent law. In that role he gave annual courses of lectures on natural philosophy, mechanics, and astronomy, and was also on the teaching staff of Guy's Hospital. The following year the series was presented by John Wallis, and in 1827 by Michael Faraday, who went on to become the most celebrated lecturer in the series' history.

London University and learned societies In 1827, Millington was announced as the inaugural Professor of Engineering and the Application of Mechanical Philosophy to the Arts at the newly founded London University (now University College London), though he left the position within a year due to financial issues. Millington was one of the original fellows of the Astronomical Society of London (later the Royal Astronomical Society) and served as its secretary from 14 February 1823 to 10 February 1826. Millington shared the news with his old friend Michael Faraday, who responded enthusiastically: "And I know so much of your love for science as to be sure that in your new appointment you will find a continual source of the highest enjoyment."

During his time at the college, he resided in the historic Wythe House. Millington is credited with largely constructing William & Mary's scientific apparatus during the period of his tenure there.

In 1853, Millington resigned his chair to accept an appointment as Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology at the Medical College in Memphis, Tennessee. He left that position in 1859 or 1860, though his attempt to retire in La Grange, Tennessee was thwarted by the American Civil War. His son Thomas Millington produced well-known drawings of the Brafferton, the Wren Building, and the President's House at William & Mary in the 1840s–1850s, known collectively as the Millington prints. Millington's papers from this period are preserved at the Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William & Mary. They include diaries, correspondence, and records of a financial dispute—a claim against William & Mary dating from 1848 to 1853.