James Millingen was a Dutch-English archaeologist, now known as a numismatist.

Life

He was the second son of Michael Millingen, a Dutch merchant who had emigrated from Rotterdam to Batavia, and then settled in Queen's Square, Westminster. James was born there on 18 January 1774; the physician and writer John Gideon Millingen was a younger brother.

James was educated at Westminster School

Westminster School

The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...

, and attracted the attention of his father's friend and neighbour, Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode

Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode

Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode was an English book and old master print collector, and a major benefactor of the British Museum.-Life:...

, who encouraged him to study numismatics. In 1790 the family migrated to Paris, and. James became a clerk in the banking house of M. Van de Nyver, a connection of his mother. After the events of 10 August 1792, Mrs. Millingen with her two sons left for Calais, but the elder Millingen brought them back to Paris. James obtained a post in the French mint. There he became acquainted with Monger, the director, a well-known mineralogist, while he made the acquaintance at the Royal (or National) Library of the director, the Abbé Courcy Barthélemy, and of the geographer Barbié du Bocage, and also came to know Charles Athanase Walckenaer

Charles Athanase Walckenaer

Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer was a French civil servant and scientist.-Biography:Walckenaer was born in Paris and studied at the universities of Oxford and Glasgow. In 1793 he was appointed head of the military transports in the Pyrenees, after which he pursued technical studies at the École...

, De Non, D'Aumont, and other archaeologists. Late in 1792 Millingen was arrested as a British subject by a decree of the National Convention, and confined first in the prison of the Madelonettes, then in that of the Luxembourg, and finally in the Collège des Écossais

Collège des Écossais

Collège des Écossais can refer to several educational institutions in France:*Scottish College, Douai at University of Douai*Collège des Écossais, Montpellier*Scots College...

, where he remained till the events of 9 Thermidor (27 July 1794). At the Collège des Écossais he became acquainted with two fellow-prisoners, Charles Este, son of the Rev. Charles Este (1753–1829), and Sir Robert Smith of Beerchurch Hall, Essex.

On obtaining his liberty Millingen settled in Calais, but subsequently became a partner in the banking house of Sir Robert Smith & Co. in the Rue Céruti, Paris. The concern failed, and Millingen was thrown on his own resources. An asthma

Asthma

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...

 sufferer, he resided in Italy, where he compiled works on coins, medals, Etruscan vases, writing in French and Italian. He bought antiquities, and supplied most of the major museums of Europe with specimens of ancient art. He frequently offered his purchases to the trustees of the British Museum

British Museum

The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...

. For some time he lived at Rome and at Naples, where he made the acquaintance of Lady Blessington, but latterly settled at Florence, paying occasional visits to Paris and London. A civil list pension of 100l. a year was granted him, and he was royal associate and later honorary member of the Royal Society of Literature

Royal Society of Literature

The Royal Society of Literature is the "senior literary organisation in Britain". It was founded in 1820 by George IV, in order to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". The Society's first president was Thomas Burgess, who later became the Bishop of Salisbury...

, fellow of the Societies of Antiquaries of London and of France, correspondent of the Institute of France (18 January 1833), and member of other learned academies of Europe.

Millingen, when on the eve of moving from Florence to London, died of a severe catarrhal affection on 1 October 1845.

Family

He married, at Calais about 1797, Elizabeth Penny, daughter of Christopher White of Calais, and had three sons, including Julius Michael Millingen, physician to Lord Byron, and a daughter. He was a staunch Anglican, and when his wife and daughter became Roman Catholics a separation between him and them followed.