British Museum
The Museum first opened its doors on 18 April 1881, but its origins stretch back to
1753 Sir Hans Sloane was a renowned doctor who travelled the world treating royalty and members of high society. During his travels he satisfied his passion for collecting natural history specimens and cultural artefacts. After his death in 1753, his will allowed Parliament to buy his extensive collection of more than 71,000 items for £20,000 - significantly less than its estimated value. The government built the British Museum so these items could be displayed to the public.
1856 Sir Richard Owen - a brilliant natural scientist who came up with the name for dinosaurs - left his role as curator of the Hunterian Museum and took charge of the British Museum’s natural history collection. Dissatisfied with the lack of space for its ever-growing collection of natural history specimens, Owen convinced the British Museum's board of trustees that a separate building was needed to house these national treasures.
1864 Francis Fowke, the architect who designed the Royal Albert Hall and parts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, won a competition to design the Natural History Museum.
1865 after Fowke's unexpected death, the relatively unknown Alfred Waterhouse took over and came up with a new plan for the South Kensington site. heused terracotta for the entire building as this material was more resistant to Victorian London's harsh climate.
The result is one of Britain’s most striking examples of Romanesque architecture, which is considered a work of art in its own right and has become one of London's most iconic landmarks.