Credit: ©The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9753
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Portrait of Joseph Williamson
Date
ca. 1684
Sitter
Joseph Williamson (1633 - 1701, British) , Government official
Creator
Godfrey Kneller (1646 - 1723, British) , Painter
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 1274mm
width (painting): 1031mm
width (painting): 1031mm
Subject
Royal Society history & activity
> Founding of the Royal Society
Politics & Government
> Slave trade
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
> Founding of the Royal Society
Politics & Government
> Slave trade
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Description
Three-quarter length portrait of Joseph Williamson leaning with his right arm against an architectural pillar, the upper portions swathed in a brown hanging. Williamson’s left hand is held at his hip. He wears a shoulder-length brown wig and a brown coat, embroidered in gold and silver, with a white shirt and lace neck-cravat. Over this, a green velvet cloak worn across the body and held at the shoulder by a jewelled clasp.
Sir Joseph Williamson (1633-1701), British government official, was a founding Fellow of the Royal Society, elected in 1660. He served as the Society's President from 1677 to 1680. Despite his many duties as a Secretary of State he presided at every meeting of the Society during his term of office.
Williamson was also founding member, stockholder and assistant of the The Royal Adventurers into Africa, later Royal African Company (RAC). The RAC was a British trading company established by Royal Charter in 1660 which enslaved and sold African people. It was made up of and funded by members of the Stuart royal family and London merchants, many of whom were, or went on to become, Fellows of the Royal Society. The Royal Society itself held shares in the company until 1699.
Sir Joseph Williamson (1633-1701), British government official, was a founding Fellow of the Royal Society, elected in 1660. He served as the Society's President from 1677 to 1680. Despite his many duties as a Secretary of State he presided at every meeting of the Society during his term of office.
Williamson was also founding member, stockholder and assistant of the The Royal Adventurers into Africa, later Royal African Company (RAC). The RAC was a British trading company established by Royal Charter in 1660 which enslaved and sold African people. It was made up of and funded by members of the Stuart royal family and London merchants, many of whom were, or went on to become, Fellows of the Royal Society. The Royal Society itself held shares in the company until 1699.
Transcription
JOSEPH WILLIAMSON EQUES. REG. SOC. PRAESES. II. ANO. 1677
(1)S
Stair Hall Grd
Wiliamson
Francis Collin PICTURE CLEANER 52, Great Marlborough Street
SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON (1633-1701) PRESIDENT 1677-80 By SIR GODFREY KNELLER.”
(1)S
Stair Hall Grd
Wiliamson
Francis Collin PICTURE CLEANER 52, Great Marlborough Street
SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON (1633-1701) PRESIDENT 1677-80 By SIR GODFREY KNELLER.”
Object history
Presented by Sir Joseph Williamson, 1684.
The donation is given in one early museum catalogue as being 3 December 1683. [Royal Society Manuscripts General, MS/414/11, p.20]. This must be a clerical error, since no meeting were held on that day in 1683. 1684 was meant and a Journal Book minute states that: “The Society having received the Picture of Sir Joseph Williamson, formerly their President, ordered it to be placed in their Meeting Room, and desired Mr.Hill, and Dr, Gale, to wait upon Sr. Jos. Williamson with their thanks.” [Royal Society Journal Book, Original, JBO/7, meeting of 10 December 1684, p.278].
The donation is given in one early museum catalogue as being 3 December 1683. [Royal Society Manuscripts General, MS/414/11, p.20]. This must be a clerical error, since no meeting were held on that day in 1683. 1684 was meant and a Journal Book minute states that: “The Society having received the Picture of Sir Joseph Williamson, formerly their President, ordered it to be placed in their Meeting Room, and desired Mr.Hill, and Dr, Gale, to wait upon Sr. Jos. Williamson with their thanks.” [Royal Society Journal Book, Original, JBO/7, meeting of 10 December 1684, p.278].
Associated place