Elias Ashmole

Timeline

1. 1617–1646Lichfield · StaffordshireBorn in Lichfield, he studied law in his youth and practised in London, while beginning to collect ancient coins, manuscripts, and alchemical texts, gradually turning to heraldry and antiquarian research.
2. 1646–1660London · LondonPublished works such as Institutions of the British Military Orders, systematically compiling literature on military orders and astrology and alchemy, was appointed a herald, and expanded his collections, becoming an active figure in London's intellectual circles before and after the Restoration.
3. 1660–1692Oxford · OxfordshireParticipated in the early activities of the Royal Society, donated the Tradescant and D'Aulaudet collections along with his own to the University of Oxford, and in 1683 the Ashmolean Museum opened to the public, regarded as one of the earliest museums in England open to the public.