28 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. II. 
CHAPTER IP 
1856-81 
Owen’s Scheme for a Natural Histoiy Museum— His Report and 
Plan, 1859 — Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, i860 The 
Plan negatived— The Plan adopted by Mr. Gladstone-Again 
rejected by the House of Commons in 1862— Purchase of a 
New Site for the proposed Museum sanctioned by Parliament 
in 1863— The Completion of the New Museum, 1881. 
Soon after his appointment to the Hunterian 
Professorship at the Royal College of Surgeons, 
Owen’s thoughts turned towards the elaboration 
of a definite scheme which should allow of the 
proper exhibition of the natural history treasures 
of the nation. His frequent visits to the British 
Museum impressed him more and more with the 
conviction that the natural history department 
was the most neglected branch of that institution. 
This neglect arose from the inadequate space 
' For the sake of greater 
clearness, it has been thought 
advisable to devote a separate 
chapter to the history of the 
British Museum of Natural 
History at South Kensington, 
instead of dispersing it among 
the many years of Professor 
Owen’s life through which the 
discussions were spread. The 
account is given as nearly as 
possible in his own words, the 
substance being taken from his 
address to the British Associa- 
tion at York in 1881. 
