Editing Anthony Collins (philosopher) (section)

==Life and writings==
Collins was born in [[Heston]], near [[Hounslow]] in [[Middlesex]], [[England]], the son of lawyer Henry Collins (1646/7–1705) and Mary (née Dineley).<ref>{{Cite ODNB|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-5933|title=Collins, Anthony (1676–1729), philosopher and freethinker|year=2004|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/5933}}</ref> He had two sisters: Anne Collins (born 1678), who married Henry Lovibond (born 1675), and Mary Collins (born 1680), who married Edward Lovibond (1675–1737), a merchant and Director of the East India Company. Mary and Edward's son was the poet [[s:Lovibond, Edward (DNB00)|Edward Lovibond]].

Collins was educated at [[Eton College]] and [[King's College, Cambridge]], and studied law at the [[Middle Temple]].<ref>{{acad|id=CLNS693A|name=Collins, Anthony}}</ref> The most interesting episode of his life was his intimacy with [[John Locke]], who in his letters speaks of him with affection and admiration. In 1715 he settled in [[Essex, England|Essex]], where he held the offices of justice of the peace and deputy-lieutenant, which he had previously held in Middlesex. He died at his house in [[Harley Street]], London.

His writings gather together the results of previous English [[Freethought|freethinkers]]. The imperturbable courtesy of his style is in striking contrast to the violence of his opponents; and, in spite of his unorthodoxy, he was neither an [[Atheism|atheist]] nor an [[Agnosticism|agnostic]]. In his own words, "Ignorance is the foundation of atheism, and freethinking the cure of it" (''Discourse of Freethinking'', 105).