This is an extraordinary book, which looks at a lesser known, yet key figure in the history of early natural sciences, and is a very much an academic treatment of Hans Sloane’s career as a collector.
The author seeks to ground Sloane in the history of his time, in terms of Britain’s expanding maritime empire and the commerce of the period. The research looks at various strands that make up his life, social, political and intellectual. Through these aspects, we are shown how Britain’s new global dominance and reach enabled Sloane to collect his curiosities from the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia and further afield.
In putting together this tome, the author gives great attention to detail and refashions the contextual nature of how the objects were taken. As this account of Sloane’s life draws to a close, James Delbourgo’s biography shows Hans Sloane’s legacy, through the lens of his collection of curiosities. In addition to how it germinates into, what would become the foundations of the world-renowned British Museum?
Hans Sloane was born in Northern Ireland in 1660, and through his life, his successful practice as a medical physician enabled him to pursue his interests. Sloane would collect a myriad of objects most controversial of which, related to slaves and slavery. As mentioned earlier, his collection in 1759 was seen by the public with the opening of the British Museum. He lived at a time, which is now referred to as the Enlightenment. This period of Western history represented the thinking and culture of the time. This time period can roughly be gauged to be from the mid-decades of the 17th century through to the 18th century. The main characteristics of the Enlightenment showed dramatic revolutions in the sciences, societal influences and politics, it could be said that the medieval worldview was no longer relevant.
This tome is very well illustrated and has a number of pictorials. However, there could have been more – in addition, colour plates would have been useful. The Cabinet of Curiosities: offers new insights on the entanglements of global scientific discovery against the backdrop of British imperialism of the time. As mentioned earlier this is very much an academic treatment, and the casual reader may feel somewhat overwhelmed. However, this is a narrative, which is opulent and intricate, in its telling of a lesser known, yet a contentious figure of the Enlightenment.
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Top reviews from other countries
Alan Walker
This is an informative, well-written and interesting book on ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2017
Margaret7
Superbly researched, fascinating book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2017Gonch888
He created a British institution to house his collection
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2017