'A cabinet of rarities': the curious collections of Sir Thomas Browne' will explore RCP physician, philosopher, collector, and polymath Thomas Browne’s curious approach to the world through his writing and his collection. Browne (1605–1682) saw the extraordinary in the ordinary, and introduced over 700 new words to the English language, while inspiring literary greats such as Virginia Woolf and Edgar Allan Poe. His collection reveals a fascinating perspective on 17th-century scientific and medical research.

Originally housed at Browne's home in Norwich, the collection included animal and plant samples as well as books, paintings, and artefacts. The collection will be partially reconstructed at the RCP using his manuscript letters and notebooks, shedding light on his diverse interests – including science, medicine, literature and even witchcraft trials.

This exhibition is part of a larger project, led by Queen Mary University of London, to edit the entire works of Thomas Browne.

• Exhibition opening times: Monday–Friday only, 9am–5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Opening times can vary - do check our  visiting page for closure days before your visit. 
• Full accessibility information
• Contact us: email history@rcplondon.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 3075 1543.