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Sir Hans Sloane

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4 Extra Debut. Mark Spencer explores the life of the 17th-century collector of natural and cultural artefacts, Sir Hans Sloane. From 2015.

Mark Spencer explores the life of the 17th-century collector of natural and cultural artefacts, Sir Hans Sloane.

The vast number of natural and cultural artefacts Sir Hans Sloane collected formed the nucleus of two of the most iconic museums in the world The British and Natural History Museums in London. A philanthropist with strong sense of civic duty Sloane wanted his collection to be kept available for the contemplation of the British public and so upon his death it was offered to the King and Parliament for the very reasonable price of £20,000. The British museum (from which the Natural History Museum was founded) was the first national public museum in the world and was open to all 'studious and curious persons'.

Botanist Mark Spencer guides us through the Sloane Herbarium to explain why Sloane is his Natural History Hero.

First heard on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.

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15 minutes

Last on

Tue 5 Nov 201902:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Dr Mark Spencer

Dr Mark Spencer
Dr Mark Spencer is Senior Curator of the British and Irish Herbarium at the Natural History Museum in London. His curatorial and research interests are focused on environmental change and its impact upon the UK's flora, as well as investigating novel approaches to incorporating botanical data into the forensic investigative environment.

Mark also has an interest in historic botany, particularly 17th and 18th century herbariums as well as non-native invasive species. He is committed to engaging with and educating the wider British public about the value and interest of Britain’s flora. Mark’s botanical interests are wide-ranging but are particularly focused on the historic and non-native floras of London and the Isles of Scilly.

Mark is the Botanical Society of the British Isles vice-county recorder for Middlesex and the Vascular Plant Recorder for the London Natural History Society.

Sir Hans Sloane

Sir Hans Sloane
In his long life, the noted physician, scientist and collector Sir Hans Sloane amassed one of the greatest collections of plants, animals, antiquities, coins and many other objects of his time.

Sir Hans Sloane Herbarium

Sir Hans Sloane Herbarium
Sir Hans collected the first plant specimens to be brought back to England from Jamaica. They were mounted in seven bound volumes, which have been preserved intact in the herbarium at the Natural History Museum in London where they remain an invaluable resource for both scientific and historical research.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 28 Sep 201513:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 4 Nov 201914:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 5 Nov 201902:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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