To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Solander, 20 October 1778
From Daniel Solander9
ALS: Harvard University Library
London Oct. 20. 1778
Dear Sir
Permit me to introduce to You my Countryman Mr. John Alstroemer;1 He is one of my best and most intimate friends, whose thirst for Knowledge intitles him to any favor You can bestow on Him. If You have a few Moments to spare, You will find [him] very intelligent. I am with great regard Dear Sir Your most obedient humble servant
Dan. Solander
Dr Franklin
9. For the Swedish-born Fellow of the Royal Society, keeper of the natural history department of the British Museum, botanist on Cook’s Endeavor voyages, and friend of BF, see IX, 121 n; XIV, 215 n, 285 n; XVIII, 209; XIX and XX, passim. This is the only extant letter between the two men.
1. Son of the patriot and influential commercial and industrial innovator Jonas Alströmer, Johan (1742–86), like his father, was a member of the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. From 1777 to 1780 he was traveling through western and central Europe. Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon.