Benjamin Bartlett facts for kids
For the American politician see Benjamin T. Bartlett IV
Benjamin Bartlett (born 1714, died 1787) was an English writer and expert. He was very interested in coins and the history of places.
Life Story
Benjamin Bartlett came from an old Quaker family in Bradford, Yorkshire. His father was an apothecary, which was like a pharmacist back then. A famous doctor named John Fothergill even trained with his father.
From a young age, Benjamin loved studying old things and history. He was an antiquarian, someone who studies the past. He moved to London and started his own apothecary business. However, he had to stop working because he wasn't well. He gave his business to his partner, Mr. French.
In his free time, Benjamin collected many English coins and seals. These included items from the Saxon period onwards. After he died, his collection was sold. He knew a lot about numismatology, which is the study of coins. People said it was hard to find anyone who knew as much as he did about coins.
In 1764, he became a member of the Society of Antiquaries. This is a group that studies history and old things. When he died, he was the treasurer for this society.
His Writings and Contributions
Benjamin Bartlett wrote only one main paper. It was about the coins made by bishops in Durham and by monks in Reading. These coins were made during the reigns of kings Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III. He read this paper to the Society of Antiquaries in 1778.
He also prepared a book called Manduessedum Romanorum. This book was about the history of the parish of Manceter. It was later printed in a collection called Topographical Antiquities by John Nichols.
Other historians also thanked Benjamin for his help. Dr. Nash thanked him for his valuable information in the History of Worcestershire. Also, Gough said Benjamin helped him arrange the coins for his History of Thetford.
Later Years
Benjamin Bartlett passed away on March 2, 1787. He was 73 years old and died from a condition called dropsy. He was buried in the Quaker cemetery in Hartshill, Warwickshire.