During the 18th and 19th centuries. many upper class ladies and gentlemen were collectors of antiquities of all kinds. Perhaps one of the most famous was Sir William Hamilton, ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples (1764-1800) and the husband of Emma Hamilton, who befriended Lord Nelson. Sir William not only collected antiquities (mainly from Pompeii) but also produced some interesting observations and illustrations on Vesuvius. While some of the rich and leisured merely looked at their collections for pleasure, others, such as Sir William, undertook scientific research. In fact, collecting antiquities could be considered the first phase of the rise of 'Nature Studies' as a science fulfilling the required observation, duplication and deduction processes.
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