THOMAS HOPKINSON, born in London, England, April 6, 1709, died in
Philadelphia, Pa., November 5, 1751, was son of a London merchant. In
1731, having been admitted to the bar, he settled in Philadelphia,
where he became a deputy, and finally principal clerk of the Orphan's
Court. For many years he was a member of the council of the province
and a judge of court. Always interested in letters and science, he
became the intimate friend of Franklin, to whom he suggested the use
of metal points for the purpose of obtaining electric sparks. The
Library Company, the College of Philadelphia, and the Philosophical
Society named him among their incorporators and earliest officers.
Perhaps his greatest distinction now is that he was the father of
Francis Hopkinson, who may have caused the under-mentioned dialogue
to be produced "for remembrance."
AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Performed at the
Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May 20th,
1766. Philadelphia: Printed by W. Dunlap, 1766. Small 4to, pp.
8.
The _Pennsylvania Journal_ of June 5, 1766, is authority for the
authorship of this exercise.