william small was born in carmyllie, angus, scotland, the son of a presbyterian minister, james small and his wife lillias scott, and younger brother to dr robert small. he attended dundee grammar school, and marischal college, university of aberdeen where he received an ma in 1755. in 1758, he was appointed professor of natural philosophy at the college of william and mary in williamsburg, virginia, then one of britain’s american colonies.