Arthur Collins (antiquarian)
Encyclopedia
Arthur Collins was an English antiquarian
, genealogist, and historian
. He is most known for his work Peerage of England.
to Queen Catherine
, and Elizabeth Blythe. He received a liberal education
, but worked for at least some of his life as a bookseller across from St Dunstan's Church
on Fleet Street
. He married around 1708, and died in 1760, at the age of 78. He was buried in Battersea
, then part of Surrey
. His son, Major General
Arthur Tooker Collins, was the father of David Collins
, the first Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania
.
, publisher of the fifth edition, also published a supplement to it in 1785. Samuel Egerton Brydges
released the nine-volume sixth edition in 1812, bringing all of the book's contents up to date and describing Collins as "a most industrious, faithful, and excellent genealogist" whose only failing was a habit of regarding rank and titles with "too indiscriminate respect and flattery."
in 1746; and the noble Families of Cavendish
, &c. in 1752. He also published two biographies: Life of Lord Burleigh
in 1732 and Life of Edward the Black Prince
in 1750.
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
, genealogist, and historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
. He is most known for his work Peerage of England.
Personal life
Collins was born in 1682, the son of William Collins, Esq., a Gentleman UsherGentleman Usher
Gentleman Usher is a title for some officers of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. See List of Gentlemen Ushers for a list of office-holders.-Historical:...
to Queen Catherine
Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza was a Portuguese infanta and queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles II.She married the king in 1662...
, and Elizabeth Blythe. He received a liberal education
Liberal education
A Liberal education is a system or course of education suitable for the cultivation of a free human being. It is based on the medieval concept of the liberal arts or, more commonly now, the liberalism of the Age of Enlightenment...
, but worked for at least some of his life as a bookseller across from St Dunstan's Church
St Dunstan-in-the-West
The Guild Church of St Dunstan-in-the-West is in Fleet Street in London, England. An octagonal-shaped building, it is dedicated to a former bishop of London and archbishop of Canterbury.-History:...
on Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
. He married around 1708, and died in 1760, at the age of 78. He was buried in Battersea
Battersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
, then part of Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. His son, Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Arthur Tooker Collins, was the father of David Collins
David Collins (governor)
Colonel David Collins was the first Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Van Diemens Land, founded in 1804, which in 1901 became the state of Tasmania in the Commonwealth of Australia.-Early life and military career:...
, the first Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
Peerage of England
The first two editions of Collins's Peerage were published as single volumes in 1709 and 1712. Subsequent editions included an increasing number of added volumes, such that the fifth edition, published in 1778, contained eight volumes. Barak LongmateBarak Longmate
Barak Longmate was an English genealogist and editor, heraldic engraver and publisher.-Life and work:Longmate was born in 1738, son of Barak and Elizabeth Longmate of St James's, Westminster in London. He engraved some topographical drawings, but was more distinguished as an heraldic engraver...
, publisher of the fifth edition, also published a supplement to it in 1785. Samuel Egerton Brydges
Samuel Egerton Brydges
Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges, 1st Baronet was an English bibliographer and genealogist. He was also Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1812 to 1818....
released the nine-volume sixth edition in 1812, bringing all of the book's contents up to date and describing Collins as "a most industrious, faithful, and excellent genealogist" whose only failing was a habit of regarding rank and titles with "too indiscriminate respect and flattery."
Other works
Collins published Cases of Baronies in 1734; a five-volume Baronetage in 1741; Letters &c. of the SidneysSidney (surname)
Sidney as a surname may be*Algernon Sidney, republican under Charles II*Donald Sidney-Fryer, American poet*George Sidney, American film director*Henry Sidney , father of Mary, Philip and Robert, Earl of Leicester*Hilarie Sidney, musician...
in 1746; and the noble Families of Cavendish
Cavendish
- People :* The House of Cavendish, a British noble family* Ada Cavendish , British actress* Camilla Cavendish , British journalist* Charles Cavendish , British Liberal politician* George Cavendish - People :* The House of Cavendish, a British noble family* Ada Cavendish (1839–1895), British...
, &c. in 1752. He also published two biographies: Life of Lord Burleigh
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
in 1732 and Life of Edward the Black Prince
Edward, the Black Prince
Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Aquitaine, KG was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainault as well as father to King Richard II of England....
in 1750.