Peter Collinson ( 1694 - 1768 )

Birth: 94 Lombard Street, London, England (January 1694) Death: Thorndon Hall, Brentwood, Essex (11 August 1768) Burial: Long Lane burial-ground, Bermondsey, London Profession: Mercer Research Field: Natural history, dissemination of science Education: Quaker school at Wandsworth, Surrey Career: Took over the family business with his brother James and improved it by extensive trading with the American colonies; helped Mark Catesby (FRS 1733) to find patrons in America; Sir Hans Sloane (FRS 1685) encouraged his interest in the metamorphosis of insects, much of his collection was deposited in Sloane's museum and he later contributed to the British Museum; his gardens at Peckham and Mill Hill were known for their exotics and he is credited with introducing or reintroducing 180 species into England; encouraged the cultivation of silk, flax, hemp and wines in America; London agent for the Library Company of Philadelphia (1732); corresponded with Benjamin Franklin (FRS 1756) and other scientists in America, Europe and elsewhere; Memberships: FSA; Berlin Academy; Uppsala Academy Membership: Fellow Election Date: 5/12/1728.