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Welcome to The Sloane Letters Project

sloaneA pilot of this project, Sir Hans Sloane’s Correspondence Online, was first launched at the University of Saskatchewan in 2010 to coincide with the 350th anniversary of Sir Hans Sloane’s birth. The project was renamed The Sloane Letters Project when it moved to this site in 2016.

The correspondence of Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) consists of thirty-eight volumes held at the British Library, London: MSS 4036-4069, 4075-4078.  The letters are a rich source of information about topics such as scientific discourse, collections of antiquities, curiosities and books, patients’ illnesses, medical treatments and family history. Most of the letters were addressed to Sloane, but a few volumes were addressed to others (MSS 4063-4067) or written by Sloane (MSS 4068-4069).

So far, we have entered descriptions and metadata for Sloane MSS 4036-4053 and 4075, as well as several letters from each of the following: Sloane MSS 4054-4055, 4066, 4068-4069 and 4076. Several of these entries also include transcriptions. Further entries and transcriptions are being made available gradually.

Please, explore the website and database. You can search through the letters, learn about Sir Hans Sloane or the letters written to him, and peruse blog posts about interesting letters!

Random Letter

Author:
Recipient:

[fol. 357] Sr I am removeing my Lodging this day from the other end of the Town to the corner of Water Lane at Mr Drings, when Mr William Methuen Lodges; And if I can be spared to looke after my things this evening I shall be very thankfull, I was just now at Gresham Colledg to desire this favor or leave word, but I found nobody there. the enclosed papers were read last day except that relateing to the Description of Mr Luffkins Organi Pneumatici. And that also of the Description of a Curve by its Equable Evolution. If I can not possibly be spared pray pleas to tell the Messenger these goe by to let me know it Immediatly, And I will not be long in goeing thither. This Spice they call In Portugall Indian Fennell, it is an excellent thing (they say) for many distempers especially for some in the head, heart & Breast. This Picture is painted upon the Glass on the inside by a Napolitan at Madrid. You may if you pleas untack it, to Satisfy the Curious, but wth. great caution that it not be broke, Least a Restitution should be demanded of me. My Obdient humble service to Sr. John Hoskins & all the Honble. Gentlemen. I am with great truth. Sir Your most faithfull & most Ob: servant J Jones Decr. 13th. 1699.
Read more- Letter 0603


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4,545 Document summaries
Documents transcribed
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1,527 Medical Cases
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