Benjamin West (1738 -1820) Presentation Copy of "A Discourse Delivered to the Students of the Royal Academy by the President" (Thomas Cadell, London 1793); 4to, contemporary calf, presentation copy from Benjamin West himself, the note reads "Matthew Clarkson, Esq. from the Author" with the author being The President of the Royal Academy who, at the time, was Benjamin West. The book then changed hands and was signed by John Hallowell in 1800, then Oliver Hopkinson in 1849. Inside the cover is a bookplate reading "Francis Hopkinson, His Book". This bookplate is not that of the signer of the Declaration of Independence, but most likely that of his grandson who was the second child born to Joseph Hopkinson in 1796, with Oliver not being born until 1812. Born in Springfield Pennsylvania, West painted famous historical scenes such as 'The Death of Nelson', 'The Death of General Wolfe', and 'Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky'. From the Francis Hopkinson Family Archives