Person Wilson; Benjamin (1721 - 1788); painter Wilson Benjamin painter 1721 - 1788 British Male Leeds, Yorkshire, England 21 June 1721 17210621 56 Great Russell Street, Bloomesbury, London 06 June 1788 17880606 Baptism: St Peter's Church, Leeds, England (20 July 1721) Burial: St George the Matyr's burying ground, London, England

Artist Chemistry Electricity Education: Leeds grammar school Career: Clerk in the registry of the prerogative court in Doctors' Commons, London; clerk to the registrar of the Charterhouse, where he resumed his artistic studies under the guidance of Thomas Hudson, painter and master of the Charterhouse; visited Ireland (1746-1750); returned to London, settling in Sir Godfrey Kneller's former residence in Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields (1750); gained repuration as a portrait painter; exhibited four portraits at the exhibitions of the Society of Artists (1760-61); exhibited a history painting at the Royal Academy (1783); succeeded Hogarth as sergeant-painter (1764); painter to the Board of Ordnance (1767); had his scientific research patronized by the King, inviting him to Windsor (1776); produced articles on the subject of electricity (1750-1780); resigned as painter to the Board of Ordnance. Memberships: Istituto delle Scienze ed Arti Liberali at Bologna Parents: Major Wilson, a wealthy clothier, and his wife, Elizabeth, née Yates. Spouse: (m.1771) Jane Hetherington (d. c.1790). Children: Frances Wilson, Major Gilfred Wilson; Major William Wilson; Jane Maria Wilson; Edward Lumley Wilson, Jane Wilson; General Sir Robert Thomas Wilson (1777–1849), soldier, military historian, and governor of Gibraltar. Particularly interested in static electricity and collaborated with Benjamin Hoadly, physician, in further research into electricity. Invented and exhibited a large electrical apparatus. Involved in a controversy with Benjamin Franklin (FRS 1756) about the design of lightning conductors. Martin Folkes (FRS 1714) was one of his first portrait sitters. Medals and prizes: Copley Medal 1760 Nominated by the Royal Society to serve on a committee to regulate the erection of lightning conductors on St Paul's Cathedral. Fellow 05/12/1751 30 Granville Wheler Martin Folkes John Boyle Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB References: Marta Cavazza, 'The Institute of Science of Bologna and the Royal Society in the eighteenth century' in NR 2002 vol 56 pp 3-25, plate R V Jones, 'Benjamin Franklin' in NR 1976-7 vol 31 pp 201-225 R W Home, 'Some Manuscripts on Electrical and Other Subjects Attributed to Thomas Bayes, FRS' in NR 1974-5 vol 29 pp 81-90 D J Bryden, 'Note on a Further Portrait of James Short, FRS' in NR 1969 vol 24 pp 109-112 G L'E Turner, 'A Portrait of James Short, FRS, Attributable to Benjamin Wilson, FRS' in NR 1967 vol 22 pp 105-112 Douglas McKie, 'Priestley's Laboratory and Library and Other of his Effects' in NR 1956-57 vol 12 pp 114-136 ©The Royal Society International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Wilson%2C+Benjamin RCN R67889 RCN 18917 RCN R61147 RCN R67887 RCN 21428 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH45626 1721 - 6 Jun 1788 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 09/04/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA5600 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 15/10/2025 RS_NET\louisianef Yes 4ada94b6-d30d-4904-9f52-932616e72b22