Sir Hans Sloane
Taken from: "A tourist Guide to Killyleagh and District"
Best known as President of the Royal Society in succession to Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Hans Sloane was one of the most renowned figures in 18th Century England. A very successful physician, who numbered the Royal Family among his patients and treated the poor for nothing, he amassed a large fortune and lived to be 91. Therefore, he was able to pursue his lifelong interest in natural history, collecting birds, beasts, jewellery, coins, manuscripts and countless other treasures. His collections, and those of Harley, were combined to form the nucleus of the British Museum.
Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh on April 16th 1660. His father was Alexander Sloane, receiver general of taxes from County Down, a landholder in Lisnagh and father of seven sons: James (born 1655), Alexander and Henry (most probably twins, died), William (born 1658), John and Robert (died) and Hans (born 1660). His father died in 1666 when Hans was only six years old. The mother of the boys was Sarah Hicks Sloane, daughter of William Hicks, Canon of Chichester from 1632 to 1637.
It is believed that the Sloanes lived in a two-storey thatched house on Frederick Street, Killyleagh. There is preserved in the Ulster Museum and Art gallery in Belfast, a photograph which is thought to be that of the original house before it was pulled down and rebuilt in 1880. This house was swept away in a comprehensive housing redevelopment scheme. The lintel keystone of the original house was saved, however, during the demolition and moved across the road where a special plaque has been erected, paying tribute to Killyleagh's most famous son.
There is little doubt that the Sloane boys received their education in Killyleagh at a school provided by James Hamilton. It is believed that they had access to a good library in Killyleagh Castle, which furthered their studies and provided them with a prominent lawyer, William a merchant and Hans an eminent physician.
The early days in Killyleagh were well suited for Hans as his interest in botany grew; the shores of Strangford Lough were well suited for the study of plants and other natural studies. He watched the men and women gathering dulse, one of the edible seaweeds, and in and early contribution to the Royal Society he tells how the Irish chew it for the cure of scurvy. In another of these communications, he looks back to the days when he watched turf-cutters at work, digging out trunks and roots of trees, and sometimes making such finds as the horns of the Irish Elk, bog-butter or even ancient gold ornaments.
At the age of sixteen Sloane suffered from a severe illness, much like tuberculosis, which confined him to his room for three years. During this time his interest in medicine and the desire to heal was growing and at the age of nineteen he left for London to pursue his ambition of becoming a physician. Four years later in 1683, he went to Paris and attended lectures on Botany, Chemistry and Anatomy at La Charite Hospital. From here, he enrolled at the University of Orange where he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. At twenty-five, Sloane was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and two years later became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He became President of both institutions and took a leading part in promoting inoculation. He went on to become the Royal Physician.
In 1695 he married Elizabeth Langley Rose, widow of Fulk Rose, a sugar-planter in Jamaica. Elizabeth had four daughters by Rose and four children by Sloane: Hans, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth, although Hans and Mary died in infancy. After his wife's death in 1724, Sir Hans took up residence in the Manor House, Chelsea where Sloane Square and Hans Crescent today recall his name.
Following his death at the age of 91 on January 11th 1752, Sir Hans bequeathed a sum of money to every hospital in London. The terms of his will also greatly assisted the foundation of the British Museum, which acquired his collection of 50,000 books and 20,000 separate articles, worth at that time over £80,000.
As well as the plaque in Frederick Street, Killyleagh, a memorial to Sloane can be found at the entrance to Killyleagh Castle. This was erected at the instigation of the Downe Society in 1960 to mark the 300th anniversary of his birth. It is also possible to see the gravestones of two of Hans' brothers, Henry (died 1659) and John (died 1660) and his father, Alexander (died 1666) who are buried in Killyleagh Parish Churchyard. A new Sloane Square is being created at the harbour development to mark the achievements of this great man.
