Neil Arnott, a Scotch physician and popular writer upon science, born near Montrose in 1788. He studied medicine in Aberdeen and London, paying special attention to natural philosophy, and through the influence of his instructor, Sir Everard Home, was appointed surgeon in the naval service of the East India company. The position gave him opportunity for scientific observations in different parts of the world. In 1811 he began to practise in London, but continued his scientific investigations. His "Elements of Physics, or Natural Philosophy, General and Medical, explained in plain or non-technical Language" (1827), contained the substance of lectures previously delivered, and was a successful attempt to illustrate scientific principles in the language of common life. It was translated into different languages, and passed through five editions in England within six years. In 1835 Dr. Arnott was appointed one of the senators of the university of London, in 1837 one of the physicians extraordinary to the queen, and in 1838 a fellow of the royal society.

He published at the same time his "Essay on Warming and Ventilating." He has invented numerous contrivances for health and comfort, such as the stove and ventilator to which his name is given, and the water-bed or floating mattress, which has often been used with the happiest results. In 1854 he received from the royal society their Rumford medal; and in 1855 the jurors of the universal exhibition at Paris awarded him a gold medal, to which the emperor added the cross of the legion of honor.