Timothy Cunningham


Timothy Cunningham was a London barrister, legal writer and antiquarian, thought to have been Irish.

Life

A member of the Middle Temple, Cunningham lived in chambers at Gray's Inn for over thirty years. In 1759 he asked for employment as copyist at the British Museum from John Burton, proving in fact expensive.
Cunningham was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London on 29 January 1761, and a testimonial for his admission to the Royal Society that year failed, despite supporters including Richard Pococke and Charles Morton. He died at Gray's Inn during April 1789.

Legacy

The Cunningham prize of the Royal Irish Academy was founded with his legacy of £1,000: for the encouragement of learning in Ireland by the bestowal of prizes on literary or scientific works of distinguished merit.

Works

Cunningham was the author and compiler of legal and antiquarian books, including: