which was delicate, would permit, he came to
London, and devoted himself to the study of medicine, and the kindred
sciences of chemistry and botany. In 1683 he went to Paris, which at
that time possessed greater facilities for medical education than could
be found in London. Having taken the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the
University of Orange in July 1683, he made a tour in France, and
towards the close of the year 1684 he returned to England and settled in
London. In 1685 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in
1687 he was admitted a Fellow of the College of Physicians. His love for
scientific research led him to accept the offer of the post of physician
to the Duke of Albemarle, who had been recently appointed
Governor-General of the West India Colonies. He was also appointed
physician to the West Indian fleet. He set sail for Jamaica on the 12th
of September 1687, and reached Port Royal on the 19th of December; but
in consequence of the death of the Duke, which took place towards the
end of the following year, Sloane returned to England in May 1689,
bringing with him large collections in all branches of natural history,
which he had obtained in Madeira, as well as in Jamaica and other West
Indian islands. In 1693 Sloane was appointed to the Secretaryship of the
Royal Society, and in 1727 he had the honour of succeeding Sir Isaac
Newton as President. His professional career was a very successful one.
In 1712 he was made Physician-Extraordinary to Queen Anne, whom he
attended during her last illness; and in 1716 he was created a baronet
by King George I., who also bestowed on him the post of
Physician-General to the Forces. On the accession of King George II. in
1727 he was appointed First Physician to the King. He was elected
President of the College of Physicians in 1719, and held the office till
1735. In 1741 he removed his museum and library from his residence in
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, to the fine old manor-house of
Chelsea, which he had purchased from the family of Cheyne. Here he spent
his time in the society of his friends, and in enriching and arranging
the treasures he had collected. He died after a short illness on the
11th of January 1753, in the ninety-third year of his age, and was
buried in Chelsea church, where a monument was erected to his memory by
his daughters. Sir Hans Sloane married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress
of Alderman Langley, and widow of Fulk Rose of Jamaica, by