Events at The Manchester Museum
17 Apr 2012
The Confucius Institute talks on China - The first Chinese books in London: the collection of Sir Hans Sloane (25 April) * Tours of the Vivarium (Tuesdays and Thursdays, except school holidays) * Tours of the stores (Wednesdays).
The Confucius Institute talks on China - The first Chinese books in London: the collection of Sir Hans Sloane
Wednesday 25 April (1-2pm)
Book on 0161 275 2648, free, adults
Dr Frances Wood, Curator of Chinese Collections, The British Library. The collections of Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), physician to Queen Anne and the man who introduced chocolate to a grateful British public, were used to found the British Museum. He collected everything from natural history specimens (stuffed alligators from his time in Jamaica) to fine editions of the Bible and his printed book collection included a fine range of Chinese books from the late Ming and early Qing periods. Many collectors of the time had single Chinese volumes as 'specimens' but Sloane's recently rediscovered Chinese collection ran from Buddhism and Confucianism through geography to literature and painting manuals, most collected for him in China by members of the East India Company who did not know a word of the language.
Tours of the Vivarium (live animals)
Every Tuesday & Thursday (except school holidays) (12-1pm)
Book on 0161 275 2648, free, 13+
Meet the Museum's live animals and learn about the education and conservation work taking place beyond the displays.
Tours of the stores
Every Wednesday (1.30-2.15pm & 2.15-3pm)
Book on 0161 275 2648 or at the Information Desk, free, ages 10+, 10 places per tour
Go behind the scenes and explore our Palaeontology and Botany stores (one store per week).
-----
To find out more about the Museum:
- Visit The Manchester Museum's website
or - Sign up for The Manchester Museum's e-news