Claim: Henry James Brooke, born on May 25, 1771 in Exeter, has hobbies in mineralogy, geology, and botany wherein he was able to sell his engraving collections to the British Museum—a public institution established in 1753 which is dedicated to human history, art, and culture.
Evidence: Brooke was the son of a broadcloth manufacturer, born in Exeter on 25 May 1771. Brooke's hobbies were mineralogy, geology, and botany. His large collections of shells and of minerals were presented to the University of Cambridge, while a portion of his collection of engravings was given by him to the British Museum. The British Museum, in the Bloomsbury area of London, England, is a public institution dedicated to human history, art and culture. 7 June 1753; 267 years ago (1753-06-07)