He was elected a fellow of St. Peter's (as Peterhouse was often called at the time) in June 1845. On gaining the fellowship, he spent some time in the laboratory of the celebrated Henri Victor Regnault, at Paris; but in 1846 he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy in the University of Glasgow. At age 22 he found himself wearing the gown of a professor in one of the oldest universities in the country and lecturing to the class of which he was a first year student a few years before.
he was elected a fellow of st peter's (as peterhouse was often called at the time) in june 1845 on gaining the fellowship he spent some time in the laboratory of the celebrated henri victor regnault at paris; but in 1846 he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy in the university of glasgow at age 22 he found himself wearing the gown of a professor in one of the oldest universities in the country and lecturing to the class of which he was a first year student a few years before