The Controversial Story Behind The British Museum

James Delbourgo, Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University, joins us to discuss his book Collecting the World: Hans Sloane and the Origins of the British Museum. He tells the story of Hans Sloane, who became a wealthy London society physician during the late 17th century. Through his fortune and contacts, he created an encyclopedic collection of specimens and objects that eventually became the British Museum. But, Sloane's collection was not without controversy as his story is intertwined with colonialism and slavery.  

James Delbourgo will appear in conversation with Christopher Brown on Oct. 26 at Book Culture (536 West 112th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam) at 7 p.m.