Bartram, William, 1739-1823

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William Bartram was a naturalist and made trips throughout the southern frontier, collecting seeds and specimens and making botanical drawings.

From the description of Meteorological diary, 1790 January 1-1791 September 13. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122540731

From the description of Commonplace book, [ca. 1760-1800]. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122624360

Naturalist William Bartram traveled throughout the southern frontier collecting seeds and specimens and making botanical drawings.

From the guide to the William Bartram meteorological diary, January 1, 1790 - September 13, 1791, 1790-1791, (American Philosophical Society)

From the guide to the William Bartram commonplace book, [ca. 1760-1800], Circa 1760-1800, (American Philosophical Society)

Philadelphia botanist.

From the description of ALS : to John Bartram, 1763 Mar. 8. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86138960

Francis Darley West was a descendant of John Bartram (1699-1777) and William Bartram (1739-1823) of Philadelphia, who were the leading naturalists of their time.

From the guide to the Bartram family papers, ca. 1908-1958, 1908-1958, (American Philosophical Society)

William Bartram was a naturalist and made trips throughout the southern frontier, collecting seeds and specimens amd making botanical drawings.

From the description of Diary, 1802-1822. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122523489

From the guide to the William Bartram diary, 1802-1822, 1802-1822, (American Philosophical Society)

Naturalist.

From the description of Certification of William Bartram, 1778. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79454246

John Bartram was the first native American botanist and made many journeys through the southern frontier, collecting seeds and bulbs for transplanting.

From the guide to the John Bartram papers, 1738-1796, 1738-1796, (American Philosophical Society)

From the guide to the John Bartram papers, 1738-1796, 1738-1796, (American Philosophical Society)

Peter Collinson (1694–1768) was an English merchant and botanist. He was a partner in his father’s London trading business, and he remained a merchant throughout his life. However, at a young age, he also developed a passion for botany. He eventually wrote numerous essays on natural history topics for the Gentleman’s Magazine, and he contributed many reports to the Society of Antiquaries and to the Royal Society, of which he was a member. His extensive network of correspondents in Europe and North America placed Collinson at the nexus of the community of eighteenth century European and American natural scientists.

Peter Collinson was born in London, the son of the Quaker and London cloth merchant Peter Collinson and his wife Elizabeth Hall. Young Peter’s love of plants apparently stemmed from a garden owned by relatives with whom he lived as a boy and which he later inherited. However, Collinson is known less for his own original contributions to natural science than for his tireless support of the work of others. His publications and affiliation with the Royal Society brought him in contact with many eminent European naturalists and scientists of his day, including Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), Stephen Hales (1677-1761), and J. J. Dillenius (1684-1747). He also knew the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778, APS 1769), who named horse balm ( Collinsonia canadensis ) after him. Collinson was always supportive of the work of ordinary gardeners and plantsmen, such as Philip Miller (1691-1771), the gardener of the Chelsea Physic Garden, and the nurseryman James Gordon, who helped maintain the extensive gardens of Lord Petre, Collinson’s close friend and patron of scientific endeavors.

Collinson’s numerous contacts with fellow botanists placed him at the center of a large network of mid-eighteenth century European and American naturalists. It was through his family’s extensive trade in the cloth business with North America that he got to know a number of Americans. They included Alexander Garden (1730-1791, APS 1768), Cadwallader Colden (1688-1776, APS 1768), Benjamin Franklin and John Bartram (1699-1777, APS 1768).

Collinson and Bartram were particularly close friends. In the early 1730s, Bartram wrote to Collinson soliciting the post of king’s botanist in North America. While Collinson was not able to secure the position for another three decades, the two men arranged for Bartram to send seeds and seedlings to British subscribers. This group eventually numbered more than sixty men and included some of the most prominent botanists and landscape designers in Britain. Moreover, beginning in 1733, the two men engaged in a lively exchange of ideas and specimen that lasted until Collinson’s death in 1768. Collinson communicated many of Bartram’s studies to the Royal Society, which published Bartrams observations in the Philosophical Transactions . The naturalist John Fothergill (1712-1780, APS 1770) one of Collinson’s close friends, wrote that the “eminent naturalist, John Bartram, may almost be said to have been created such by my friend’s assistance.” John Bartram’s son William acknowledged Collinson’s crucial role in his father’s career, noting that “it was principally through the interest of Collinson that he [John Bartram] became acquainted, and entered into correspondence with, many of the most celebrated literary characters in Europe, and was elected a member of the Royal Society of London, of Stockholm, etc.” Collinson, who maintained his own extensive garden, introduced several American plants into Britain, including the American alder, three species of azalea, black birch, hemlock, sugar maple, mountain laurel, and many medicinal herbs.

Collinson and Franklin also maintained a long friendship marked by an active correspondence. Their shared interests included the discovery of mastodon bones in North America and, more famously, topics related to electricity. In fact, it was Collinson who introduced Franklin’s ideas on electricity to the Royal Society; the Society not only published them but also recognized Franklin’s work with the Copley medal in 1753. Franklin admired Collinson’s qualities as a scientist and as a man. He wrote that “if we may estimate the goodness of a man by his disposition to do good, and his constant endeavors and success in doing it, I can hardly conceive that a better man has ever existed.”

Collinson’s interests in North American matters also included the promotion of crop experiments in the colonies. In addition, he was an early patron of the American Philosophical Society, though not a member, and for many years served as purchasing agent for the Library Company of Philadelphia.

In 1724 Peter Collinson married Mary Russell. They had two children.

From the guide to the Collinson-Bartram Papers, 1732-1773, 1732-1773, (American Philosophical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Violetta Delafield-Benjamin Smith Barton Collection, 1783-1817 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf John Bartram papers, 1738-1796, 1738-1796 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Library. Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection. 1668-1983. American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Alexander Wilson papers, 1806-1813, 1806-1813 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf John Bartram papers, 1738-1796, 1738-1796 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Beattie, R. Kent (Rolla Kent), 1875-1960. Papers, 1899-1956 Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. Certification of William Bartram, 1778. Library of Congress
creatorOf Bartram family papers, ca. 1908-1958, 1908-1958 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf William Bartram commonplace book, [ca. 1760-1800], Circa 1760-1800 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Violetta Delafield-Benjamin Smith Barton Collection, 1783-1817 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn John Bartram Association records, 1911-2012 John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library
referencedIn Albert J. Pickett papers, 1779-1904 Alabama Department of Archives and History
referencedIn Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815. Letters, 1790-1794, to Thomas Pennant. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Barton-Delafield Collection, 1789-1815 (bulk). American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. Miscellaneous manuscripts, after 1802. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Carr, Robert. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1833. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn John Bartram Association research files, Bulk, 1980-2012, 1905-2012 John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library
referencedIn John Bartram correspondence, 1735-1775, 1735-1775 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. ALS : to John Bartram, 1763 Mar. 8. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIa, 1743-1806 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf William Bartram diary, 1802-1822, 1802-1822 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1803. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815. Volumes, 1791-1812 (bulk). American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Conrad Wilson and William E. Frame genealogy research files on the Bartram family, 1957-1993 John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. Meteorological diary, 1790 January 1-1791 September 13. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815. American Indian materials, 1789-1813. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf William Bartram meteorological diary, January 1, 1790 - September 13, 1791, 1790-1791 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf [William Bartram, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
creatorOf Bartram Trail. Reports, 1978-1982. Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center / Cherokee Garden Library
referencedIn Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813. Letters, 1800-1810. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution, National Anthropological Archives. [Contact repository for more information].
referencedIn Briggs, Warren, Papers, 1976-1979 University of West Florida Libraries
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. Commonplace book, [ca. 1760-1800]. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Bartram, William, 1739-1823. Diary, 1802-1822. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Rippeteau, Bruce Estes. Southern dirt: the literate archaeology of a Loblolly menagerie; or the name of the rose redux [typescript] : [2001 Oct. 8]. University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries
referencedIn West, Francis Darley, 1881- ,. Bartram family papers, ca. 1908-1958. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn John Bartram Association collection on the Bartram family, 1768-2012 John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library
referencedIn Bartram family. Collection, 1721-1814 (inclusive), 1765-1803 (bulk). Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn Collinson, Peter, 1694-1768. Collinson-Bartram Papers, 1732-1773. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815. Correspondence, 1786-1815. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Alexander Wilson letters, 1800-1810, 1800-1810 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813. Papers, 1806-1813. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Wood, Charles, b. 1788. Charles and William Wood arithmetic notebooks and other material, 1800-1848, bulk 1800-1803. Harvard University, Education School, Gutman Library
referencedIn Bartram Trail Conference. Records, 1975-1982. Alabama Department of Archives and History
creatorOf Collinson-Bartram Papers, 1732-1773, 1732-1773 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Bartram, John, 1699-1777. Papers, 1738-1796. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Carl Bridenbaugh Research Files, ca. 1948 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Harwood family. Harwood family papers, 1722-1962. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Bartram family. Bartram family letters, 1743-1766. (bulk 1765-1766). New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Daniel McKinley research files on the history of natural history, 1963-1999 John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873 person
associatedWith American Philosophical Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Banks, Joseph, Sir, 1743-1820 person
associatedWith Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815. person
associatedWith Bartram family family
associatedWith Bartram family. family
correspondedWith Bartram family. family
associatedWith Bartram, George Washington, 1784-1853 person
associatedWith Bartram, John, 1699-1777. person
associatedWith Bartram Trail. corporateBody
associatedWith Bartram Trail Conference. corporateBody
associatedWith Beattie, R. Kent (Rolla Kent), b. 1875 person
associatedWith Bertrand family family
associatedWith Bolton (?), Thomas person
associatedWith Bowles, William, 1705-1780 person
associatedWith Breintnall, Joseph, d. 1746 person
associatedWith Bridenbaugh, Carl person
associatedWith Briggs, Warren person
associatedWith Brown, Bertram Erwin, b.1871. person
associatedWith Carlisle, Charles person
associatedWith Carr, Robert. person
associatedWith Colden, Cadwallader, 1688-1776 person
associatedWith Collinson, Peter, 1694-1768. person
associatedWith Cooper, Thomas, 1759-1839 person
associatedWith Costa, Lorenzo person
associatedWith Coues, Elliott, 1842-1899 person
associatedWith Cuvier, Georges, Baron, 1769-1832 person
associatedWith Dale, Francis d. 1733 person
associatedWith Darlington, William, 1782-1863 person
associatedWith Edison, Thomas A., (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 person
associatedWith Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955 person
associatedWith Everett, Edward, 1794-1865 person
associatedWith Fitch, John person
associatedWith Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 person
associatedWith Gabie, William person
associatedWith Genth, F. A., (Frederick Augustus), 1820-1893 person
correspondedWith Gibbon, Lardner person
associatedWith Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 person
associatedWith Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 person
associatedWith Hamilton, Charles, 1691-1754 person
associatedWith Hanbury, John, 1664? -1734 person
associatedWith Harding, Warren G. person
associatedWith Harwood family. family
associatedWith Holland, Henry Fox, Baron, 1705-1774 person
associatedWith John Bartram Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Kildare, Lady person
associatedWith Knowlton, Thomas, 1691-1781 person
associatedWith Lennox, Charles, Duke of Richmond, 1701-1750 person
associatedWith Linné, Carl von, 1707-1778. person
associatedWith McKinley, Daniel person
associatedWith Miller, Philip, 1691-1771 person
associatedWith Newcomb, Simon person
associatedWith Newton, Isaac, Sir, 1642-1727 person
associatedWith Norfolk, Edward Howard, Duke of, 1686-1777 person
associatedWith Petre, Anne, Lady person
associatedWith Petre, Anne Radcliffe person
associatedWith Petre, Robert Edward, Baron, 1772-1810 person
associatedWith Petre, Robert James Petre, Baron, 1713-1742 person
associatedWith Pitman, John Hines person
associatedWith Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851 person
associatedWith Ponthiell (?), John de person
associatedWith Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806 person
associatedWith Rippeteau, Bruce Estes. person
associatedWith Rittenhouse, David, 1732-1796 person
associatedWith Rouse, Thomas person
associatedWith Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813 person
associatedWith Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864 person
associatedWith Seybert, Adam, 1773-1825 person
associatedWith Sloane, Hans, Sir, 1660-1753 person
associatedWith Solander, Daniel Charles, 1733-1782 person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Stevens, Henry person
associatedWith Sully, Thomas, 1783-1872 person
associatedWith Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824 person
associatedWith Tofeild (?), Thomas person
associatedWith Trelawny, H, d. 1762 person
associatedWith Turpin, P. J. F., (Pierre Jean François), 1775-1840 person
associatedWith Turton, William, 1762-1835. person
associatedWith Waterton, Charles, 1782-1865 person
associatedWith Wayne, Anthony person
associatedWith West, Francis Darley, 1881- , person
associatedWith Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813. person
associatedWith Wilson, Conrad, 1921-2005 person
associatedWith Witt, Christopher, 1675-1765 person
associatedWith Wood, Charles, b. 1788. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States - Social life and customs - 19th century.
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
United States - Social life and customs - To 1775
United States - History - Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Pennsylvania
Subject
Botany
Plants, Cultivated
Gardening
Gardens
Horticulture
Horticulture
Ice on rivers, lakes, etc
Ice on rivers, lakes, etc
Icing (Meteorology)
Icing (Meteorology)
Insects
Meteorology
Meteorology
Natural history
Science and technology
Seed industry and trade
Seed industry and trade
Weather
Occupation
Botanists
Naturalist
Naturalists
Activity

Person

Birth 1739-04-20

Death 1823-07-22

Americans

English

Information

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