Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), British naturalist. Sloane, a practising physician, built up large collections, including many plants brought back to Britain from the West Indies in 1689. Sloane's two-volume account of the Natural History of Jamaica was published in 1707 and 1725. In 1749 he left his large collection of books and curiosities to the nation on condition that 20,000 was paid to his family. The government accepted his offer and in 1753 founded the British Museum to house it. Sloane was made a baronet in 1716, and in 1732 promoted the foundation of the colony of Georgia. Original painting held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK.