Andrew Ure (1778-1857), Scottish chemist. Ure was born and educated in Glasgow, studying medicine at the university and graduating in 1801. He served briefly in the army before taking the chair of natural philosophy at Anderson's Institution. Ure established a reputation for his popular evening lectures on chemistry and mechanics. In 1814 he invented an alkalimeter for determining alkali content of industrial chemicals. In 1821 he published a dictionary of chemistry and the following year was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. His adherence to scriptural interpretations of geology led to escalating feuds, so Ure moved to London. He worked as a consultant chemist, acting as an expert witness and working for the government. He published more books and in 1840 helped found the Pharmaceutical Society.