sign of talent until 1847, when he exhibited at the Royal Academy a picture called 'The Charity Boy's Debut.' The earnest and truthful work shown in this picture attracted the attention of Rossetti, who sought Collinson's friendship, and on the formation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood induced him to become one of the original seven 'brothers.' Collinson, however, was of a slow temperament, and incapable of partaking in the enthusiasm which the others displayed, and having recently embraced the Roman catholic religion, displayed more of zeal in the practice thereof than in his art. He devoted, however, considerable time and labour to the execution of a picture according to the pre-Raphaelite laws, viz. 'An Incident in the Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary,' an illustration to Charles Kingsley's 'Saint's Tragedy.' This was exhibited at the Portland Gallery in 1851, and excited some attention. To the pre-Raphaelite periodical, 'The Germ,' for 1850 he contributed a devotional poem in blank verse, entitled 'The Child Jesus,' accompanied by an etching illustrative of a passage in the poem. Shortly after this Collinson quitted the pre-Raphaelite ranks and retired to Stonyhurst, remaining there a long time in seclusion. About 1854 he emerged again, married a connection of J. R. Herbert, R.A., and resumed his profession as an artist. Abandoning all ideas of adventure or ambition, he confined himself to small subjects of a domestic and humorous character, and continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy, British Institution, and the Society of British Artists, of which he was a fellow, up to 1880. His pictures latterly did not rise above commonplace work, but some have been engraved, e.g. 'To Let' and 'For Sale' (Royal Academy, 1858), and ' Good for a Cold.' Collinson lived a very retired life, though he was much respected by those who knew him, and at his death in April 1881 had almost passed out of the memory of his old associates.
[Athenæum, 9 April 1881; Contemporary Review, May 1883; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1880; Catalogues of the Royal Academy, &c.; private information.]
COLLINSON, JOHN (1757?–1793), county historian, vicar of Clanfield, Oxfordshire, was instituted to the vicarage of Long Ashton, Somerset, in 1787, and also held the perpetual curacy of Whitchurch in the same county. He died at the Hotwells, Bristol, on 27 Sept. 1793, at the age of thirty-six. He published 'The Beauties of British Antiquities, selected from the writings of Antiquaries,' 1779, 8vo, and in 1781 issued proposals for a history of the county of Somerset in one volume folio. The work was finally published in 1791, with the title 'History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset, collected from authentick Records and an actual Survey made by the late Mr. Edmund Rack,' in 3 vols. 4to (for account of Rack see Collinson, Somerset, i. 77). Collinson appears to have largely used, and indeed to have appropriated bodily from, the Palmer MSS., now in the possession of Sir Alexander Acland Hood, Dart., of St. Audries, Somerset. The 'History' was severely criticised in the ' Gentleman's Magazine.'
[Gent. Mag. 1793, lxiii. i. 148, 236, ii. 865; Collinson's Somerset, ii. 299; Hist. MSS. Comm. 6th Rep., Introd. p. xiii and 344; Athenæum, 8 Jan. 1887, p. 65.]
COLLINSON, PETER (1694–1768), naturalist and antiquary, was born near Windermere on 14 Jan. 1693-4. His parents were members of the Society of Friends, who were settled on the paternal estate called Hugal Hall, on the borders of Windermere Lake. They were especially known as producers of men's mercery. Peter Collinson, in partnership with his brother, improved the father's trade, and opened a large business with the American colonies.
Collinson from his youth displayed a considerable fondness for natural history, and especially devoted himself to a close examination of the metamorphoses of insects. While yet a young man he secured the notice of some of the best naturalists of the age, and especially of Sir Hans Sloane. The Earl of Bute greatly encouraged his botanical pursuits, and Sir Charles Wager [q. v.] sought his assistance, and at Collinson's suggestion systematised his search for illustrative examples of natural products during his voyages. A considerable portion of the collections thus made were eventually deposited in Sir Hans Sloane's Museum.
Collinson was a lover of the antiquities near his home. He was active in the formation of the Society of Antiquaries, being one of its earliest members and a constant contributor to the meetings of the society. He withdrew from the Society of Friends, but always maintained their distinguishing simplicity of character. In 1724 Collinson married Mary, the daughter of Mr. Bushell of Mill Hill, Hendon, by whom he had one son and one daughter. Collinson was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in December 1728. He communicated papers to the 'Philosophical Transactions.' The relations of Collinson's firm with America led to a close intercourse with the scientific men of the colonies. In 1730 a subscription library was
