The British Museum was founded in 1753 by an Act of Parliament, largely thanks to the donation of the collection of Sir Hans Sloane. Sloane, a physician and naturalist, bequeathed his vast collection of over 71,000 objects, including books, manuscripts, natural specimens, and antiquities, to the nation. The museum was established to promote knowledge and preserve these treasures for public benefit and scholarly research. It opened to the public on January 15, 1759, in Montagu House, the museum’s original building in Bloomsbury, London. The British Museum’s permanent collection features works from a wide range of artists and cultures. While it is primarily known for its historical artifacts, the collection also includes pieces by notable artists such as: Albrecht Dürer (German Renaissance), Rembrandt (Dutch Baroque), William Blake (British Romanticism), James Gillray (British caricature) and Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese Edo period). The museum’s collection spans from ancient artifacts to more recent historical artworks, reflecting a broad spectrum of human creativity and history. Read more about Museums.
