J. G. (John Gordon) M'Pherson

Born in 1843 and dying in 1909, he is identified in library and public-domain records as John Gordon M'Pherson, a Scottish educator and scientist. Sources connected with his books describe him as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, an extension lecturer on meteorology for nine years, and a mathematical examiner at the University of St. Andrews.

The title page of Meteorology; or, Weather Explained presents him as "J. G. M'Pherson, Ph.D., F.R.S.E.," notes his first-class honours background, and points to his aim of explaining scientific ideas for ordinary readers rather than specialists. That same book also names him as the author of Tales of Science, showing a wider interest in making science readable and engaging.

Today he is remembered mainly through those accessible science books. Meteorology; or, Weather Explained is especially notable for turning weather, clouds, fog, wind, and climate into subjects a curious non-expert could follow with ease.