Background
He was born in London, where he also died.
He was born in London, where he also died.
He was educated at Eton College and Queen"s College, Oxford.
He was elected a fellow of Merton College, Oxford in 1755. In 1756 he was appointed under-secretary at war, in 1762 clerk of the House of Commons. In 1768 he resigned his post, and spent the remainder of his life in learned retirement.
In February 1771 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1784 he was elected a trustee of the British Museum, to which he bequeathed a portion of his valuable library.
Royal Society.