The British Museum was the world's first national public museum to offer free entry to all 'studious and curious persons.'

The British Museum was established by an Act of Parliament in 1753 and officially opened its doors to the public on January 15, 1759. It was primarily based on the vast collection of Sir Hans Sloane, a physician and scientist who bequeathed over 71,000 items to the nation. This act of creating a national institution owned by the state rather than a monarch was a revolutionary concept in the 18th century.While the museum was technically free, early visitors had to apply in writing for tickets and were often limited to small groups. This 'studious and curious' requirement was intended to ensure the museum remained a place of learning. Despite these initial logistical hurdles, it stood in stark contrast to other European collections, such as the Louvre in Paris, which did not become a public museum until 1793.The museum's founding principle was that knowledge should be accessible to all people for the benefit of society. This philosophy was a product of the Enlightenment, a period that championed reason and the democratization of information. Today, the British Museum Act of 1963 legally mandates that the museum remain free of charge for general admission to its permanent collections.Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, the museum now houses approximately 8 million objects spanning two million years of human history. It remains one of the most visited museums in the world, attracting over 6 million visitors annually. Its commitment to free access continues to influence global standards for public cultural institutions.