Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753) was distinguished in two distinct spheres: medicine and the natural sciences. In 1687 he moved to Jamaica as physician to the governor of the island, the Duke of Albemarle, where he pursued his interest in natural science. He brought back to London 800 species of plants and animals.

In London, Sloane was associated with Captain Coram in the foundation of the Foundling Hospital. He promoted vaccination against smallpox, and while physician to Queen Anne he inoculated members of the Royal Family. In 1727 Sloane succeeded Isaac Newton as president of the Royal Society; he was the only man to be president of both the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians, London. When he died, Sloane’s collection of books, manuscripts, medals and coins became a main part of the British Museum’s collection, and his garden was left to the Apothecaries’ Society, now the Chelsea Physic Garden.