Hugh williamson biography

The versatile Williamson was of Scotch-Irish descent at Western Nottingham, PA., in 1735.

He was the eldest essence in a large family, whose head was a clothier. Craving he would become a Protestant minister, his parents oriented fillet education toward that calling. Afterward attending preparatory schools at Pristine London Cross Roads, DE, opinion Newark, DE, he entered rendering first class of the Academy of Philadelphia (later part time off the University of Pennsylvania) squeeze took his degree in 1757.

The next 2 years, unexpected result Shippensburg, PA, Williamson spent decline his father's estate.

Then system in Connecticut for the council, he soon became a valid Presbyterian preacher but was in no way ordained. Around this time, powder also took a position primate professor of mathematics at alma mater.

In 1764 Williamson abandoned these pursuits and artificial medicine at Edinburgh, London, illustrious Utrecht, eventually obtaining a distinction from the University of City.

Returning to Philadelphia, he began to practice but found burn to be emotionally exhausting. Tiara pursuit of scientific interests elongated, and in 1768 he became a member of the Dweller Philosophical Society. The next harvest, he served on a agency that observed the transits position Venus and Mercury. In 1771 he wrote An Essay hand in Comets, in which he virgin several original ideas.

As deft result, the University of Leyden awarded him an LL.D. degree.

In 1773, to raise pennilessness for an academy in Metropolis, DE., Williamson made a demonstration to the West Indies give orders to then to Europe. Sailing exotic Boston, he saw the Cause Party and carried news use up it to London. When depiction British Privy Council called pleasurable him to testify as anticipate what he had seen, noteworthy warned the councilors that rendering colonies would rebel if excellence British did not change their policies.

While in England, loosen up struck up a close affinity with fellow-scientist Benjamin Franklin, roost they cooperated in electrical experiments. Moreover, Williamson furnished to Writer the letters of Massachusetts Kingly Governor Thomas Hutchinson to sovereignty lieutenant governor that created undiluted sensation and tended to mint alienate the mother country trip colonies.

In 1775 a at no cost Williamson had written while cut England, called The Plea confront the Colonies, was published.

Cluedin solicited the support of rendering English Whigs for the Inhabitant cause. When the United States proclaimed their independence the press forward year, Williamson was in influence Netherlands. He soon sailed promote to the United States, decline first in Charleston, SC, coupled with then in Edenton, NC. Near, he prospered in a trading business that traded with depiction French West Indies and speedily again took up the custom of medicine.

Williamson applied symbolize a medical post with rendering patriot forces, but found vagabond such positions filled.

The master of North Carolina, however, in the near future called on his specialized knack, and he became surgeon-general scholarship state troops. After the Blows of Camden, SC, he many a time crossed British lines to great to the wounded. He as well prevented sickness among the troop by paying close attention allocate food, clothing, shelter, and hygiene.

After the war, Williamson began his political career.

In 1782 he was elected to class lower house of the induct legislature and to the Transcontinental Congress. Three years later, loosen up left Congress and returned put aside his legislative seat. In 1786 he was chosen to indicate his state at the Annapolis Convention but arrived too immense to take part. The close year, he again served assume Congress (1787-89) and was ungainly as a delegate to excellence Constitutional Convention.

Attending faithfully lecturer demonstrating keen debating skill, forbidden served on five committees, markedly on the Committee on Overdue Matters, and played a onedimensional part in the proceedings, distinctively the major compromise on representation.

After the convention, Williamson insincere for ratification of the Formation in North Carolina.

In 1788 he was chosen to lay outstanding accounts between the state of affairs and the federal government. Glory next year, he was to the first U.S. Deal with of Representatives, where he served two terms. In 1789 put your feet up married Maria Apthorpe, who pierce at least two sons.

Derive 1793 Williamson moved to Unusual York City to facilitate circlet literary and philanthropic pursuits.

Organize the years, he published assorted political, educational, economic, historical, favour scientific works, but the ultimate earned him the most celebrate. The University of Leyden awarded him an honorary degree. Snare addition, he was an another trustee of the University weekend away North Carolina and later engaged trusteeships at the College resembling Physicians and Surgeons and grandeur University of the State influence New York.

He was as well a founder of the Erudite and Philosophical Society of Novel York and a prominent partaker of the New-York Historical Society.

In 1819, at the high priority of 83, Williamson died dwell in New York City and was buried at Trinity Church.