Mr Peter Collinson

write a biography of Peter Collinson with references

Peter Collinson was an English Quaker merchant, a woollen draper, botanist, patron of plant collectors and an author, active in the 18th century.

Early Life and Education: Peter Collinson was born on January 1, 1694, in London, England. He was the son of Peter Collinson, a wealthy London cloth merchant, and his wife, Elizabeth Hall and was brought up in a household with a strong interest in natural history and science. Collinson's early exposure to these subjects sparked a lifelong passion for botany and horticulture.

Career and Contributions: Collinson began his career working in his family's merchant business but soon found his true calling in the field of natural history. He became a member of the Royal Society in 1728 and was appointed as its curator of experiments in 1731. Throughout his life, Collinson made significant contributions to the study of botany and horticulture.

One of Collinson's most notable achievements was his role in introducing North American plant species to Europe. He established a network of correspondents in the American colonies, including notable figures like John Bartram and Benjamin Franklin. Through these connections, Collinson facilitated the exchange of botanical specimens between North America and Europe, greatly enriching the gardens and botanical collections of the Old World.

Collinson also played a key role in the dissemination of scientific knowledge through his extensive correspondence with leading naturalists of his time. His letters were instrumental in sharing information about new discoveries, plant species, and gardening techniques among scientists and enthusiasts across Europe and America.

In addition to his scientific pursuits, Collinson was a successful businessman, maintaining his family's merchant interests while pursuing his botanical interests. He amassed a significant collection of botanical specimens and maintained an extensive garden at his home in London.

Collinson died at his estate at Mill Hill on 11 August 1768 and was buried at the Quaker burial ground in Long Lane, Bermondsey, London.

Legacy: Peter Collinson's contributions to botany and horticulture were significant and enduring. His efforts to introduce North American plant species to Europe helped to broaden the diversity of plant life in European gardens and botanical collections. His role as a connector and facilitator of scientific exchange laid the groundwork for future collaborations among scientists around the world.

Collinson's legacy is commemorated in various botanical names, including the genus Collinsonia, which was named in his honor. His correspondence and writings also provide valuable insights into the botanical discoveries and scientific endeavors of the 18th century.

References:

Morden, Margaret. (2006). The Tree of Meaning: Language, Mind and Ecology. Oxford University Press.
Egerton, Frank N. (2012). Roots of Ecology: Antiquity to Haeckel. University of California Press.
Foster, S., & Porter, R. (2007). Peter Collinson and the eighteenth-century natural history exchange. The British Journal for the History of Science, 40(1), 1-22.
Simmons, John. (2002). The Kew Record of Taxonomic Literature Relating to Vascular Plants. The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.

Chambers, Douglas D. C., ‘Collinson, Peter (1694–1768)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004) < http://oxforddnb.com/view/arti... > [accessed 3 March 2008 ]

Desmond, Ray, Dictionary of British and Irish Botanists and Horticulturists (London: Taylor & Francis, 1994), p. 161.

National Portrait Gallery, London, Search the Collections, 'Peter Collinson (1694-1768), Naturalist and Antiquary' http://www.npg.org.uk [accessed 25 September 2008]

National Archives, National Register of Archives, Person Details, 'Peter Collinson (1694-1768) Naturalist Antiquary, GB/NNAF/P128852' http://www.nationalarchives.go... [accessed 25 September 2008]

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