William Gilbert (or William Gylberde) May 24, 1544, Colchester, England - December 10, 1603, London?, English physician to Elizabeth I and James I and scientific researcher into magnetism and electricity. His primary work was De Magnete, Magneticisque Corporibus, et de Magno Magnete Tellure (On the Magnet and Magnetic Bodies, and on That Great Magnet the Earth) published in 1600.