Origins of the British Museum - Episode 015
How did the British Museum, which first opened to the public on 15th January 1759 and which now houses so many of the world's archaeological treasures, come into being? In this episode of Archaeology 365 Kim Biddulph delves into the life and circumstances of the owner of the museum's founding collection, Sir Hans Sloane.
Links
- History of the British Museum
- History of the British Museum's collections
- Information about Sir Hans Sloane on the British Museum website
- History of the British Museum buildings
- Short article from History Today on the opening of the British Museum
- Sir Hans Sloane's last will and testament
- Natural History Museum information about Sloane
- Ordinary's Account of 24th May 1700 of the confessions of John Shirly, Philip Wake and James Walters
- Powerpoint on the BM's website about the Museum in the 18th century
- Link to download PDF of trail around Bloomsbury about Sir Hans Sloane developed by Camden schoolchildren
