Collecting the World: The Life and Curiosity of Hans Sloane

Hans Sloane was a collector of unparalleled scope, whose name is still commemorated in London's streets and squares. Yet, the man himself and his remarkable achievements have largely faded from memory. Born in northern Ireland, Sloane built a lucrative career as a physician to London's elite before embarking on a journey to Jamaica in 1687. There, he surveyed the island's natural history and established a network of correspondents who sent him an astonishing array of curiosities from around the world. Sloane's collection of specimens, artefacts, and oddities was the most famous of its kind in the 18th century, and its significance extends far beyond its own time. Shortly after his death, the collection was acquired by the nation and became the nucleus of the world's first national public museum, the British Museum. This biography, the first in over sixty years, brings Sloane's story to life and sheds new light on the global endeavours of early modern science and collecting, which played a pivotal role in the emergence of modern knowledge. Through Sloane's life and work, we see the intersection of empire, slavery, and the pursuit of knowledge, as the cabinet of curiosities gave way to the encyclopaedic museum. This book offers a fresh perspective on a fascinating period in history, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the greatest collectors of all time.