Thomas Hopkinson was born in London 6 April, 1709, the son of Thomas Hopkinson a merchant of that city. His education was a liberal and practical one, and though he is said to have been at Oxford did not complete his studies there. He took up the study of law, and at twenty-two years of age decided on venturing himself in the colonies, coming to Pennsylvania in 1731, and at once engaging in the practice of his profession. He became deputy to Charles Read, Clerk of the Orphans' Court of Philadelphia County, and on the latter's death in January, 1737, succeeded him. He was Master of the Rolls from 1736 to 1741, Deputy Prothonotary and afterwards Prothonotary of Philadelphia County, and chosen in October, 1741, a Common Councilman. In the latter year he succeeded Andrew Hamilton as Judge of Vice-Admiralty for Pennsylvania, and on 13 May, 1747, became a member of the Provincial Council. But his interests were not confined to legal or political channels, and were equally given to literary and scientific pursuits in association with Franklin and his circle, and of the American Philosophical Society which had its origin in the Junto he was made the first President. And when the Academy was planned he became an active Trustee and warmly co-operated with Franklin in all its concerns, as he had in the institution of the new Library Company which was established in the year of his arrival in the Province. In scientific affairs he was a zealous amateur, and shared with Franklin in some of the wonderful developments in the knowledge of electricity. Franklin writing to his friend Peter Collinson, 11 July, 1747, "in pursuing our electrical inquiries, * * * of the wonderful effect of pointed bodies, both in drawing off and throwing off the electrical fire,"[1] adds in later years the acknowledgment:[2] "This power of points to throw off the electrical fire, was first communicated to me by my ingenious friend, Mr. Thomas Hopkinson, since deceased, whose virtue and integrity, in every station of life, public and private, will ever make his memory dear to those who knew him, and knew how to value him." Mr. Hopkinson died in Philadelphia 5 November, 1751. Mr. Sparks says of
