| AdminHistory | William Jones (1745-1818) was a wealthy London wine merchant who retired to Manor Street in Chelsea after amassing a private fortune. He then began to devote his time to the pursuit of entomology, the study of insects. Jones became particularly interested in the study of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), and would ultimately become best known for his unpublished, but often cited manuscript, popularly known as Jones' 'Icones', which also contained his paintings of butterflies. He collected specimens, particularly butterflies, including some which were collected on the voyage of Captain Cook. He was a close friend of Sir James Edward Smith, with whom he regularly corresponded, and was elected a Fellow of the newly formed Linnean Society in 1791. |