Peter), fellow of the royal society, descended from an ancient family in the north, was born in 1693: he was bred a quaker, and being, with a brother James, educated to the business of men-mercers, they entered into that trade in partnership. Peter, while a youth, discovered a strong attachment to natural history; and his diligent curiosity introduced him to an acquaintance with Derham, Woodward, Sir Hans Sloane, and other eminent naturalists. Beside this propensity, his knowledge in the antiquities of his own country was so considerable, that he was a member of the society of antiquarians from its first institution; and was elected a member of the royal society in 1728: he was a most diligent associate in both, furnishing, and procuring, many valuable articles of intelligence, relating to the particular objects of their inquiries, as well at home as abroad. Among his many correspondents was the celebrated Linnæus, with whom, during his residence in England, he contracted an intimate friendship. As his mercantile connections were chiefly in North America, so he interested himself in whatever might promote the advantage of that country. In the year 1730, when a subscription library was negotiating at Philadelphia, Mr Collinson not only made several valuable presents himself, but procured others from his friends: and transmitted over to the directors of this library, among whom was Dr Franklin, the earliest account of every new improvement in agriculture and the arts. He was the first who sent over accounts, in 1745, of the new experiments in electricity, which had been made in Germany, together with a glass tube; which were the first notices Dr Franklin received on a subject he afterward so much excelled in himself. Without any pretensions to what is generally called learning, Mr Collinson knew more, both of nature and art, than nine out of ten who pride themselves in the possession of it. He was no less distinguished by his virtues in private life, than by his knowledge; and died of a suppression of urine in 1768.