Thomas Hopkinson

Thomas Hopkinson (April 6, 1709 – November 5, 1751) was a lawyer, public official, and prominent figure in colonial Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Early life Thomas Hopkinson was born in London, on April 6, 1709, the son of Mary Hopkinson, and Thomas Hopkinson, a London scrivener and a member of Middle Temple. He was educated there, attending Oxford University (but not graduating) and then studying law at London. He then immigrated about 1731 to Pennsylvania, where he became a merchant, lawyer, judge, and natural philosopher, as well as a friend of Benjamin Franklin. Under James Hamilton, he became Deputy Prothonotary, in 1748 becoming Prothonotary until his death.

Hopkinson died in Philadelphia on 5 November 1751. He was the father of Judge Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791) and Mary Hopkinson, (1742-1785) who became the wife of Dr. John Morgan (physician), Surgeon General of the Continental Army.