(Anthony), a polemical writer, born at Heston near Hounslow in the county of Middlesex in 1676, was the son of Henry Collins, a gentleman of about L. 1500 a-year. He was first bred at Eton college, and then went to king's college Cambridge, where he had for his tutor Mr Francis Hare, afterwards bishop of Chichester. He was afterwards a student of the Temple; but not relishing the law, soon abandoned that study. He was an ingenious man, and author of several curious books. His first remarkable piece was published in 1707, "An Essay concerning the use of reason in propositions, the evidence whereof depends on human testimony." In 1702, he entered into the controversy between Mr Clark and Dr Dodwell, concerning the immortality of the soul. In 1713, he published his discourse on free-thinking; which made a prodigious noise. In 1715, he retired into the county of Essex, and acted as a justice of peace and deputy lieutenant for the same county, as he had done before for that of Middlesex and liberty of Westminster. The same year, he published a "Philosophical Essay concerning human liberty." In 1718, he was chosen treasurer of the county of Essex; and this office he discharged with great honour. In 1724, he published his "Historical and critical Essay on the 39 articles." Soon after, he published his "Discourse of the grounds and reasons of the Christian religion;" to which is prefixed, "An Apology for free debate and liberty of writing;" which piece was immediately attacked by a great number of writings. In 1726, appeared his "Scheme of literary prophecy considered, in a view of the controversy occasioned by a late book entitled, A discourse of the grounds, &c." In this discourse, he mentions a MS. dissertation of his to show the Sibylline oracles to be a forgery made in the times of the primitive Christians, who, for that reason, were called Sibyllists by the Pagans; but it never appeared in print. His scheme of literary prophecy was replied to by several writers; and particularly by Dr John Rogers in his "Necessity of divine revelation asserted." In answer to which, our author wrote "A letter to the Reverend Dr Rogers, on occasion, &c." His health began to decline some years before his death, and he was very much afflicted with the stone, which at last put an end to his life at his house in Harley square in 1729. He was interred in Oxford chapel, where a monument was erected to him, with an epitaph in Latin. His curious library was open to all men of letters, to whom he readily communicated all the affluence in his power; he even furnished his antagonists with books to confute himself, and directed them how to give their arguments all the force of which they were capable. He was remarkably adverse to all indecency and obscenity of discourse; and was, independent of his skepticism, a sincerely good man.

(John), an eminent accountant and mathematician, born in 1624, and bred a bookbinder at Oxford. Besides several treatises on practical subjects, he communicated some curious papers to the Royal Society, of which he was a member, which are to be found in the early numbers of the Philosophical Transactions: actions: and was the chief promoter of many other scientifical publications in his time. He died in 1683; and about 25 years after, all his papers coming into the hands of the learned William Jones, Esq; F. R. S. it appeared that Mr Collins held a constant correspondence for many years with all the eminent mathematicians; and that many of the late discoveries in physical knowledge, if not actually made by him, were yet brought forth by his endeavours.

Collins (William), an admirable poet, was born at Chichester, about the year 1724. He received his classical education at Winchester; after which he studied at New college, in Oxford, was admitted a commoner of King's college in the same university, and was at length elected a demy of Magdalene college. While at Oxford, he applied himself to the study of poetry, and published his Oriental Eclogues; after which he came to London. He was naturally possessed of an ear for all the varieties of harmony and modulation; his heart was susceptible of the finest feelings of tenderness and humanity, and was particularly carried away by that high enthusiasm which gives to imagination its strongest colouring; and he was at once capable of soothing the ear with the melody of his numbers, of influencing the passions by the force of the pathos, and of gratifying the fancy by the luxury of description. With these powers, he attempted lyric poetry; and in 1746, published his Odes, descriptive and allegorical: but the fate of this work being not at all answerable to its merit, he burnt the remaining copies in indignation. Being a man of a liberal spirit and a small fortune, his pecuniary resources were unhappily soon exhausted; and his life became a miserable example of necessity, indolence, and dissipation. He projected books which he was well able to execute; and became in idea an historian, a critic, and a dramatic poet; but wanted the means and encouragement to carry these ideas into execution. Day succeeded day, for the support of which he had made no provision; and he was obliged to subsist, either by the repeated contributions of a friend, or the generosity of a casual acquaintance. His spirits became oppressed, and he sunk into a sullen despondency. While in this gloomy state of mind, his uncle colonel Martin died, and left him a considerable fortune. But this came too late for enjoyment; he had been so long harried by anxiety and distress, that he fell into a nervous disorder, which at length reduced the finest understanding to the most deplorable childishness. In the first stages of this disorder, he endeavoured to relieve himself by travelling, and paffed into France; but the growing malady obliged him to return; and having continued, with short intervals, in this pitiable state till the year 1756, he died in the arms of his fitter. The ingenious Mr Longhorne has published his poetical works, with memoirs of the author, in one volume duodecimo.

Collinson (Peter), an eminent naturalist and antiquarian, descended of an ancient family, was born on the paternal estate called Hugal-Hall, or Height of Hugal, near Windermere lake, in the parish of Staveley, about ten miles from Kendal in Westmoreland. Whilst a youth he discovered his attachment to natural history. He began early to make a collection of dried specimens of plants, and had access to the best gardens at that time in the neighbourhood of London. He became early acquainted with the most eminent naturalists of his time; the Drs Derham, Woodward, Dale, Lloyd, and Sloane, were among his friends. Among the great variety of articles which form that superb collection, now (by the wise disposition of Sir Hans and the munificence of parliament) the British Museum, small was the number of those with whose history Mr Collinson was not well acquainted; he being one of those few who visited Sir Hans at all times familiarly; their inclinations and pursuits in respect to natural history being the same, a firm friendship had early been established between them. Peter Collinson was elected a fellow of the Royal Society on the 12th of December 1728; and perhaps was one of the most diligent and useful members, not only in supplying them with many curious observations himself, but in promoting and preserving a most extensive correspondence with learned and ingenious foreigners, in all countries and on every useful subject. Besides his attention to natural history, he minutely every striking hint that occurred either in reading or conversation; and from this source he derived much information, as there were very few men of learning and ingenuity who were not of his acquaintance at home; and most foreigners of eminence in natural history, or in arts and sciences, were recommended to his notice and friendship. His diligence and economy of time was such, that though he never appeared to be in a hurry, he maintained an extensive correspondence with great punctuality; acquainting the learned and ingenious in distant parts of the globe with the discoveries and improvements in natural history in this country, and receiving the like information from the most eminent persons in almost every other. His correspondence with the ingenious Cadwallader Colden, Esq; of New York, and the justly celebrated Dr Franklin of Philadelphia, furnish instances of the benefit resulting from his attention to all improvements. The latter of these gentlemen communicated his first essays on electricity to Mr Collinson, in a series of letters, which were then published, and have been reprinted in a late edition of the Doctor's ingenious discoveries and improvements. Perhaps, in some future period, the account procured of the management of sheep in Spain, published in the Gentleman's Magazine for May and June 1764, may not be considered among the least of the benefits accruing from his extensive and inquisitive correspondence. His conversation, cheerful and usefully entertaining, rendered his acquaintance much desired by those who had a relish for natural history, or were studious in cultivating rural improvements; and secured him the intimate friendship of some of the most eminent personages in this kingdom, as distinguished by their taste in planting and horticulture, as by their rank and dignity. He was the first who introduced the great variety of seeds and shrubs which are now the principal ornaments of every garden; and it was owing to his indefatigable industry, that so many persons of the first distinction are now enabled to behold groves transplanted from the western continent flourishing as luxuriantly in their several domains as if they were already become indigenous to Britain. He had some correspondents in almost every nation in Europe, some in Asia, and even at Pekin; who all transmitted to him him the most valuable seeds they could collect, in return for the treasures of America. The great Linnaeus, during his residence in England, contracted an intimate friendship with Mr Collinson, which was reciprocally increased by a multitude of good offices, and continued to the last. Besides his attachment to natural history, he was very conversant in the antiquities of our own country, having been elected a member of the Society of Antiquaries April 7, 1737; and he supplied them often with many curious articles of intelligence and observations, respecting both our own and other countries. He died in 1768, leaving behind him many materials for the improvement of natural history.