James Millingen, was a Dutch-English archaeologist, now known as a numismatist.
Background
He was the second son of Michael Millingen, a Dutch merchant originally from Rotterdam and then from Batavia in the western Netherlands, emigrated to England and settled in Queen"s Square, Westminster (now Bloomsbury, Camden). James was born there. James was educated at Westminster School, and attracted the attention of his father"s friend and neighbour, Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode, who encouraged him to study numismatics.
In 1790 the family migrated to Paris, where James became a clerk in the banking house of M. Van de Nyver, a connection of his mother.
Career
The physician and writer John Gideon Millingen was a younger brother. James obtained a post in the French mint. Late in 1792 Millingen was arrested as a British subject by a decree of the National Convention, and confined first in the prison of the Madelonettes, then in that of the Luxembourg, and finally in the Collège des Écossais, where he remained until released after the Thermidorian Reaction in July 1794.
At the Collège des Écossais he became acquainted with two fellow-prisoners, Charles Este, son of the Review
Charles Este (1753–1829), and Sir Robert Smith of Beerchurch Hall, Essex. The concern failed, and Millingen was thrown on his own resources.
An asthma sufferer, he resided in Italy, where he compiled works on coins, medals, Etruscan vases, writing in French and Italian. He bought antiquities, and supplied most of the major museums of Europe with specimens of ancient art
He frequently offered his purchases to the trustees of the British Museum.
A civil list pension of 100l. Millingen, when on the eve of leaving from Florence to visit London, died of a severe catarrhal affection on 1 October 1845.
Membership
A year was granted him, and he was royal associate and later honorary member of the Royal Society of Literature, fellow of the Societies of Antiquaries of London and of France, correspondent of the Institute of France (18 January 1833), and member of other learned academies of Europe.