Sir John Hoskyns, 2nd Baronet

Sir John Hoskyns
Born 23 July 1634
Herefordshire
Died 12 September 1705 (aged 71)
Major works
President of the Royal Society
Hoskyn's signature, signing off the 1667 accounts of the Royal Society, from the Council Minutes

Sir John Hoskyns, 2nd Baronet PRS (23 July 1634 – 12 September 1705) was an English baronet.

He was one of the founders of the Royal Society and served as its President from 1682 to 1683. Between 1685 and 1687 he also represented Herefordshire in the House of Commons.

Life

He was the eldest son of Sir Bennet Hoskyns, 1st Baronet, of Harewood and Morehampton Park, Herefordshire, and grandson of Serjeant John Hoskins, born in Herefordshire on 23 July 1634. He was educated in the rudiments of Latin by his mother, Anne, daughter of Sir John Bingley of Temple Combe, Somerset, and was later sent to Westminster School under Richard Busby.[1]

Hoskyns was called to the bar at the Middle Temple, and although he may not have practised, acquired a reputation as a lawyer, and was made a master in chancery. In 1680 he succeeded his father in the baronetcy (having been knighted previously), and five years later was chosen Member of Parliament for Herefordshire; but was not active in politics.[1]

Hoskyns was elected President of the Royal Society in 1682, in succession to his friend Sir Christopher Wren. His friends included Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford, John Evelyn, and John Aubrey. He resigned the chair the following year, but from 1685 to 1687 was secretary. He died on 12 September 1705, and was buried at Harewood, Herefordshire.[1]

Family

Hoskyns married Jane, daughter of Sir Gabriel Low, and his two sons, Bennet and Hungerford (d. 1766), were third and fourth baronets successively.[1]

References

Wikisource has the text of the 1885–1900 Dictionary of National Biography's article about Sir John Hoskins.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Robinson, Charles John (1891). "Hoskins, John (1634-1705)". In Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography 27. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

Further reading

External links

Parliament of England
Preceded by
The Viscount Scudamore
Sir Edward Harley
Member of Parliament for Herefordshire
with Sir John Morgan

16851689
Succeeded by
John Morgan
Sir Edward Harley
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Sir Christopher Wren
President of the Royal Society
16821683
Succeeded by
Cyril Wyche
Baronetage of England
Preceded by
Bennet Hoskyns
Baronet
(of Harewood)
16801705
Succeeded by
Bennet Hoskyns