British Museum

The British Museum in London is the United Kingdom's - and one of the world's - largest and most important museums of human history and culture. The museum was established in 1753 and was based largely on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum first opened to the public on January 15, 1759 in Montagu House in Bloomsbury, on the site of the current museum building.

The building

The Greek Revival façade facing Great Russell Street is a characteristic building of Sir Robert Smirke in the Ionic order. The pediment over the main entrance is decorated by scultptures by Sir Richard Westmacott depicting The Rise of Civilisation, installed in 1852.

Related Topics:
Greek Revival - Ionic order - Pediment - Richard Westmacott

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The Duveen Gallery housing the Elgin Marbles was designed by John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Although completed in 1938 it was hit by a bomb in 1940 and remained semi-derelict for 22 years before reopening in 1962.

Related Topics:
Duveen - John Russell Pope - Jefferson Memorial - Washington, DC

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The Queen Elizabeth II Great Court is a covered square at the centre of the British Museum designed by the architects Foster and Partners. The Great Court opened in December 2000 and is the largest covered square in Europe. The roof is a glass and steel construction with 1,656 pairs of uniquely shaped glass panes. At the centre of the Great Court is the Reading Room vacated by the British Library, its functions now moved to St Pancras. The Reading Room is open to any member of the public who wishes to read there.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth II - 2000 - British Library

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