The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Joseph Williamson, Sir (25 July 1633 - 1701)

Diplomat, politician, and antiquarian. A member of the Royal Society since 1883, he was elected its second President on 30 November 1677. As a collector, "[h]e presented several curiosities to the Museum" (Weld, I.265). Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29571?docPos=23 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Williamson_%28politician%29 Collector (minor)
 Relevant locations: Residence at London, England
 Relationships: Joseph Williamson was a associate or acquaintance (general) of William Nicolson (3 Jun 1655-14 Feb 1727)
Joseph Williamson was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Matthew Prior (1664-1721)
Joseph Williamson was a member of Royal Society (-)
Joseph Williamson was a donor to Royal Society (-)
Joseph Williamson was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Anthony à Wood (1632-1695)

 Linked print sources: as Mentions or references - A History of the Royal Society, With Memoirs of the Presidents. Compiled from Authentic Documents.
 References in Documents:
Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The HORN of the SEA-UNICORNE. Given by Sir Joseph Williamson now President of the Royal-Society. It is an entire one, eight feet long, or about two yards and three quarters. Very beautiful in length, straitness, whiteness, and its spiral Furrows bigger and less, making about seven Rounds from the bottom to the top, or point. At the Basis or bottom, about seven inches round. From thence, for about a foot, it swells a little, and then again grows slenderer, all the way, and so ends in a sharp point. 'Tis also conically hollow at the Basis, for near three quarters of a foot deep.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

STONES, not long since found near the Foundation of Charing-Cross at a great depth. Given by Sir Joseph Williamson. They seem to be a sort of course Marble. Of a blackish colour, and figur'd into several plain sides; but irregular: from whence they may be argu'd to be very ancient.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685) A List of those who have Contributed to this Musæum: excepting some Names which are lost. His Highness Prince RUPERT, Count Palatine of the Rhine. THomasThomas Allen M. D. John Aubrey Esq. WILLIAM L. Visc. BROUNCKER. Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, Esq. Dr. Erasmus Bartholine. John Bembde Esq. Sign. Paul Boccone. Mons. Olaus Borrichius. Joseph Bowles Merch. Sir Thomas Brown Edward Brown. M. D. JONH JOHN late Lord B. of CHESTER. EAST-INDIA COMPANY. ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY. Walter Charleton M. D. Walter Chetwynd Esq. Andrew Clench M. D. Samuel Colepress, Esq. Thomas Cox, Esq. Edward Cotton M. D. Thomas Crispe Esq. Ellis Crispe, Esq. William Crone M. D. John Evelyn Esq. George Ent Esq. Captain Thomas Fissenden. Nehemjah Grew M. D. Hon. CHARLES HOWARD of N. Esq. Theodore Haac Esq. Thomas Henshaw Esq. Abraham Hill Esq. Mr. Hocknel. Luke Hodgson M. D. Robert Hook Geom. Pr. Anthony Horneck B. D. Sir John Hoskins. John Houghton Pharm. L. Edmund King M. D. Mons. Lannoy. Mr. Langerman Mr. Linger. Fath. Hieronim. Lobus. Richard Lower M. D. Martyn Lyster Esq. Mr. John Malling. Sign. Malpighi. Christopher Merret M. D. Sir Thomas Millington. Sir Jonas Moore. Sir Robert Moray. Mr. S. Morgan. HENRY Duke of NORFOLK. Walter Needham M. D. Isaac Newton Math. Prof. Henry Oldenburge Esq. Philip Packer Esq. Dudley Palmer Esq. Sir William Petty. Robert Plot L L. D. Walter Pope M. D. Thomas Povey Esq. SETH Lord B. of SALISBURY. Mr. Scotto Merch. Mr. John Short. Sir Philip Skippon. Francis Slare M. D. George Smith M. D. Mr. John Somner. Sir Robert Southwell. Dr. Swammerdam. Captain Tayler. George Trumbal T. D. Edward Tyson M. D. WILLIAM late L. WILLOUGHBY of Parham. Sir Christopher Wren P. R. S. George Wheeler Esq. Daniel Whistler, M. D. Henry Whistler Esq. Sir Joseph Williamson. Francis Willughby Esq. John Winthrop Esq. Robert Witty M. D.