Sloane, Hans, Sir, 1660-1753

Hans Sloane was born in England in 1660. He studied chemistry at Apothecaries' Hall, and botany at the Chelsea Physic Garden. He went on to apprentice in medicine under Sydenham, and took over the practice when Sydenham became too ill to work. Dr. Sloane traveled to Jamaica as the physician of the second Duke of Albemarle in 1688. While in Jamaica, he collected and brought home to England more than 800 species of plants. He published two books on his experience and discoveries in Jamaica. After returning to England, he became the secretary of the Royal Society, and edited its Philosophical Transactions. He eventually became the physician to the King of England, and also President of the College of Physicians. Dr. Sloane was an avid collector of many different types of materials, and his personal collections were the foundation of the collection of the British Museum. Dr. Sloane was married to Elizabeth Rose, and died in 1753.

From the description of Sir Hans Sloane Letters Received 1704-1740 (Medical University of South Carolina Library). WorldCat record id: 216882272

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