scriptures_, _10 ed. iv_ 317–20, 733 (1856); _G.M. Dec. 1852 p._
660.
PLAYER, JOHN. _b._ Elberton, Gloucs. 1808; manager of Gwendraeth
iron works 1838; introduced anthracite as a fuel for blast
furnaces and steam boilers; a steamer called the Anthracite ran
for some time on the Thames below London bridge 1839, which
attracted much notice; built many blast furnaces; settled at
Philadelphia 1868; invented ‘mineral wool’ from iron slag. _d._
Philadelphia 11 March 1870.
PLAYFAIR, GEORGE RANKEN (son of George Playfair). Educ. at
Edinburgh univ.; M.D. 1838; surgeon in navy of H.E.I.C.S.
and saw service in the Phlegthan during the first China war
1840; assistant surgeon Bengal 3 Nov. 1844; civil surgeon at
Jaharunpore, where he gained experience as a lithotomist; on
the Agra circle, present at siege of Lucknow 1857; inspector
general 29 March 1871; retired surgeon general Bengal 31 March
1872; wrote on Continued fever. _d._ Longridge road, South
Kensington, London 4 Oct. 1881. _Lancet 8 Oct. 1881 p._ 651, _15
Oct. p._ 689.
PLAYFAIR, SIR HUGH LYON (3 son of James Playfair 1738–1819,
principal of St. Andrew’s univ.) _b._ Meigle, East Perthshire
17 Nov. 1786; educ. Dundee gr. sch. and St. Andrew’s univ.;
lieut. Bengal artillery 14 May 1805; adjutant and quartermaster
of the horse artillery 15 Nov. 1809, at siege of fortress of
Ralunga Nov. 1814, captain 5 Oct. 1815; granted freedom of city
of St. Andrew’s 1820; superintendent of the great military road,
telegraph towers and post office department between Calcutta
and Benares 1820–7; major in command of the fourth battalion
of artillery at Dum-Dum June 1827 to 4 July 1831, resigned the
service 10 Feb. 1834; provost of St. Andrew’s 1842 to death;
established a public library and revived the celebrated St.
Andrew’s golf club 1834; his portrait by sir J. W. Gordon placed
in the old town hall 1847; LL.D. St. Andrew’s 1856; knighted
at St. James’s palace 12 March 1856; author of First catechism
of the principles of religion 1853. _d._ St. Leonard’s, St.
Andrew’s 21 Jany. 1861. _D. Louden’s Biographical sketch of sir
H. L. Playfair_ (1874); _Memoirs of sir H. L. Playfair_ (1861)
_portrait_; _I.L.N. x_ 176 (1847) _portrait_, _xxxviii_ 103
(1861).
PLAYFAIR, WILLIAM HENRY (son of James Playfair of London,
architect). _b._ Russel sq. London July 1789; pupil of Wm.
Starke of Glasgow, architect; architect in Edinburgh 1812 to
death; laid out part of the new town 1815; rebuilt and enlarged
the university buildings 1817–24; designed the Royal and Regent
terraces 1829; designed the observatory 1814–18, advocates’
library 1819, royal institution 1822–36, college of surgeons
1830, St. Stephen’s church 1826–8, and the Free church college
1846–50; constructed Donaldson’s hospital in the Tudor style
1842–8; designed the monument to his uncle professor John
Playfair 1820, and that to Dugald Stewart on the Calton hill
1830; designed the National gallery of Scotland in the classical
style, first stone laid 30 Aug. 1850, and the unfinished
national monument on the Calton Hill 1822–6; his classical
buildings have gained for Edinburgh the sobriquet of the ‘Modern
Athens’; built many country houses and mansions; author of
Report concerning completion of the college of Edinburgh 1816;
Report on laying out the new town between Edinburgh and Leith