SIR

See also:

• JOSEPH
• JOSEPH, COMTE DE (1785-1870)
• JOSEPH, FATHER (FRANCOIS LECLERC DU TREMBLAY) (1577-1638)

JOSEPH

See also:

• WILLIAMSON, ALEXANDER WILLIAM (1824–1904)
• SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON (1633–1701)
• WILLIAMSON, WILLIAM CRAWFORD (18r6–1895)

WILLIAMSON (1633–1701)  , English politician, was born at Bridekirk, near Cockermouth, his father, Joseph Williamson, being vicar of this place . He was educated at St Bees, at Westminster school and at Queen's College, Oxford, of which he became a fellow, and in 166o he entered the service of the secretary of state, Sir Edward Nicholas, retaining his position under the succeeding secretary, Sir Henry Bennet, afterwards earl of Arlington . For his connexion with the foundation of the London Gazette in 1665 see NEWSPAPERS . He entered parliament in 1669, and in 1672 was made one of the clerks of the council and a knight . In 1673 and 1674 he represented his country at the congress of Cologne, and in the latter year he became secretary of state, having practically purchased this position from Arlington for £6000, a sum which he required from his successor when he left office in 1679 . Just before his removal he had been arrested on a charge of sharing in the popish plots, but he had been at once released by order of Charles II . After a period of comparative inactivity Sir Joseph represented England at the congress of Nijmwegen in 1697, and in 1698 he signed the first treaty for the partition of the Spanish monarchy . He died at Cobham, Kent, on the 3rd of October 1701 . Williamson was the second president of the Royal Society, but his main interests, after politics, were rather in antiquarian than in scientific matters . Taking advantage of the many opportunities of making money which his official position gave him, he became very rich . He left £6000 and his library to Queen's College, Oxford; £5000 to found a school at Rochester; and £2000 to Thetford, A great number of Williamson's letters, despatches, memoranda, &c., are among the English state papers .