SOME OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
40 
Leeds, on January 28tli, 1858, Thomas Wilson, Esq. was in the 
chair, and in opening the proceedings, referred to the death of Earl 
Fitzwilliani. " He was sure that those present that day would all join 
with him in deeply regretting the loss the society had sustained by 
the death of their first and only president. Earl Fitzwilliam. That 
nobleman took an active part in the business of the society throughout 
its existence. Not only was he most liberal whenever the society 
applied to him, offering as he did, the sum of £500, towards the 
establishment of a museum, if it could be carried out ; but he 
attended the meetings and did everything to further the interests of 
the Society." At a succeeding meeting on December 8th, 1858, in 
proposing that Viscount Goderich be his Lordship's successor, an 
affectionate tribute was paid to the deceased nobleman by the 
members attending the meeting. 
The three following biographical notices have been contributed 
in each instance by the son of the member. That of the late 
Thomas Wilson, one of the founders, and the first honorary secretary 
of the society, is by Mr. Henry Wilson, M.A., Head Master of 
Malvern Link School. The notice of Henry Holt, also one of the 
founders of the society, by Mr. H. P. Holt, C.E., F.G.S., &c., of 
Didsbury, Manchester; and for that of Thomas Pridgin Teale, F.R.S., 
&c., the society is indebted to his son, Mr. T. Pridgin Teale, M.D., 
F.R.S., of Leeds. 
Thomas Wilson, M.A. 
Thomas Wilson, youngest but only surviving son of Daniel 
Wilson, a member of a family settled for some generations at 
Featherstone, near Pontefract, was born at Leatherhead, Surrey, where 
his father was in practice as a surgeon, on 2Gth Sep., 1800. Before 
long his father retired from practice, returned to Yorkshire, and 
joined his brother Thomas in the lease of the Silkstone collieries. 
The son went to a school kept by Mr. Snowden, at Doncaster, and 
then to Richmond School, at that time under the Rev. James Tate, 
the most brilliant teacher of his day. From thence he went to 
Catherine Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1823, M.A. 182G. 
After keeping his terms at the Middle Temple, on the death of his 
father and uncle, he succeeded to their business, and settled at Banks 
