William Dunbar

Born in Scotland into a family whose roots can be traced back to the 10th century, Dunbar was characterized from a young age as a quiet and serious-minded boy.

In 1767 he graduated King’s College in Aberdeen, and three years later, in 1771 he sailed from London to Philadelphia, the largest city in North America at that time to try his luck. In the beginning, Dunbar participated in fur trapping and trading which were significant source of funds. In partnership with John Ross, another Scottish merchant from Philadelphia he established a plantation in West Florida, and in 1792 he acquired another plantation called “The Forest” near Natchez, Mississippi. On his plantations Dunbar established cultivation of indigo and cotton. Besides, using his knowledge of chemistry and mechanics, he made numerous inventions regarding planting such as a screw press, introduction of the square baling of cotton, and was first to suggest the manufacture of cottonseed oil. Consequently, Dunbar became sufficiently prosperous to retire and dedicate his life to science.