that Franklin likely knew what Hewson was doing. Proof was demonstrated by archaeological evidence which showed liquid mercury associated with turtle bones and vermilion colouring associated with dog bones found in the deposit. Hewson had documented experimentation on the lymphatic system using both substances and animals. He died on 1 May 1774 as a result of sepsis contracted whilst dissecting a cadaver. Hewson's work was continued after his death by Magnus Falconar, who had married Hewson's sister Dorothy in September 1774. Falconar repeated Hewson's experiments on the spleen and thymus and as a result re-published Hewson's work on red blood cells in 1777 together with his corroboration. As part of his last will and testament (1789), Benjamin Franklin made the following bequest: References Further reading 'William Hewson (1739–74): the father of haematology', article in the British Journal of Haematology, May 2006 External links 'Bradford Collection' page of the American Philosophical Society http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/library/exhibitions/blood_types/blood_types.php Article by William Demeshek about Hewson (PDF). Ben Franklin's Bones, a "Secrets of the Dead" PBS documentary, premiere date 28 January 2015 1739 births 1774 deaths People from Hexham Deaths from sepsis Infectious disease deaths in England History of anatomy Recipients of the Copley Medal 18th-century English people Fellows of the Royal Society Alumni of the University of Edinburgh