Hans Sloane

As a student in France, he met Magnol. Montagu was a friend, Linnaeus and Haller both met him when they visited London, while Boerhaave, Leibniz, Locke, Pepys, Jussieu and Walpole were all correspondents. Leeuwenhoek wrote describing blood cells, and Ray made use of his plant collection to help in his own research. Franklin sold him a purse made of asbestos; Handel apparently carelessly put a buttered muffin down on one of his priceless manuscripts. Boyle and Newton were both friends; he succeeded Newton as president of the Royal Society, where Aubrey, Halley and Flamsteed were colleagues.