The collection of John Disney, antiquarian and university benefactor David W. J. Gill Abstract Dr John Disney continues to be remembered for his benefaction of a chair in archaeology at Cambridge University. He also donated his collection of classical (and mostly Roman) sculpture to Cambridge. Disney's father, the Reverend John Disney DD, inherited the Grand Tour collection of antiquities from Thomas Brand-Hollis who displayed them at his home, The Hyde, near Ingatestone in Essex. The display reflected the republican values of Brand- Hollis and his benefactor and close friend Thomas Hollis. Dr John Disney was involved with the Chelmsford Philosophical Society and helped to create the Chelmsford Museum. He was a key figure in the formation of the Essex Archaeological Society, and in the exploration of Roman Colchester. Primary Sources Blackburne, Francis 1780. Memoirs of Thomas Hollis, Esq. F.R. and A.S.S. London. Disney, John (Reverend) 1807. A Catalogue of some marbles, bronzes, pictures and gems, at the Hyde, near Ingatestone, Essex. —. 1808. Memoirs of Thomas Brand-Hollis, Esq. F. R. S. and S. A. London: T. Gillet. Disney, John (Dr) 1846. Museum Disneianum, being a description of a collection of Ancient Marbles, in the possession of John Disney, Esq., F.R.S. F.S.A., at the Hyde, near Ingatestone. London: J. Rodwell. —. 1849. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, being illustrations and descriptions of the collection of Ancient Marbles, Specimens of Ancient Bronze, and Various Ancient Fictile Vases, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, formerly in the possession of John Disney, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., at the Hyde, near Ingatestone. London. —. 1849. Museum Disneianum, being a description of a collection of ancient marbles, specimens of ancient bronze, and various ancient fictile vases, in the possession of John Disney, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., at The Hyde, near Ingatestone. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. References Bonwick, C. 2004. Hollis, Thomas Brand (c. 1719-1804). In ODNB, vol. 27: 751-52. Oxford: OUP. —. 2008. Hollis, Thomas (1720-1774). In ODNB, vol. 27: 749-50. Oxford: OUP. Budde, L., and R. V. Nicholls. 1964. Catalogue of Greek and Roman sculpture in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Coote, H. C. 1871. Observations on an inscription on an Olla in the Disney Collection of Marbles in the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge. Archaeologia 43: 56-62. Gardner, E. A. 1899. A head of Athena, formerly in the Disney collection. Journal of Hellenic Studies 19: 1-12, pl. i. Gill, D. W. J. 1990. “Ancient fictile vases” from the Disney Collection. Journal of the History of Collections 2: 227-31. —. 1990. Antiquities from the Grand Tour: the Disney Collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Cambridge 26: 34-37. —. 1990. Antiquities of the Grand Tour of Italy. Cambridge: Fitzwilliam Museum. —. 2004. Disney, John (1779-1857). In ODNB, vol. 16: 266-68. Oxford: OUP. Gordon, A., and G. M. Ditchfield. 2004. Disney, John (1746-1816). In ODNB, vol. 16: 265-66. Oxford: OUP. Leach, M. 2007. John Howard Marsden (1803-1891): first Disney Professor of