Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge and is located on Trumpington Street, Cambridge, England.

Related Topics:
University of Cambridge - Cambridge - England

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The museum was founded in 1816 with the bequest of the library and art collection of Richard, 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion. The bequest also included £100,000 "to cause to be erected a good substantial museum repository". The "Founder's Building" itself was designed by George Basevi, completed by C. R. Cockerell and opened in 1848; the entrance hall is by Edward Middleton Barry and was completed in 1875.

Related Topics:
1816 - Richard, 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion - George Basevi - C. R. Cockerell - 1848 - Edward Middleton Barry - 1875

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The museum has five departments: Antiquities; Applied Arts; Coins and Medals; Manuscripts and Printed Books; and Paintings, Drawings and Prints.

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The "Friends of the Fitzwilliam" was founded in 1909 and is the oldest society in Britain devoted to supporting a museum.

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