Daniel Colwall

Daniel Colwall was a wealthy merchant of London and philanthropist who devoted much of his time and fortune to the cause of science and philanthropy. He is best remembered as the founder of the founder of the Royal Society’s museum.

Colwas was a member of the Royal Society from 20 May 1663, and was placed on the council in the following November, and acted as treasurer for the long term of nearly fourteen years, from 1665 to 1679. He presented Society with £50 in 1663 and 1666. The council decided that these sums should be expended to purchase ‘the collection of rarities belonging to Mr Hubbard’, which was the beginning of the society's museum.

His other philanthropic activity for which he is remembered was the support of Christ's Hospital, the charitable school in London of which he was long a governor. In his will, proved on 20 November, Colwall bequeathed to the hospital “for ever one rent or yearly payment of sixty-two pounds and eight shillings issuing and payable out of the hereditary excise which was assigned to me by Sir Robert Viner, knt. and bart. Deceased”, and the sum of £4000; besides supplementing the salary of master of the grammar school by a life annuity of £20.