The British Museum, located in the Bloomsbury area of London, is a public institution dedicated to human history, art, and culture. It boasts the world's largest collection of works, with over eight million pieces that document the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. Established in 1753, the museum was the first public national museum in the world. It was largely based on the collections of Sir Hans Sloane, an Anglo-Irish physician and scientist. The museum's expansion over the years has resulted in several branch institutions, including the Natural History Museum in 1881. Some of its most famous acquisitions include the Greek Elgin Marbles and the Egyptian Rosetta Stone. The museum is sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and admission is free for all. It underwent significant expansion in the 19th century and again in 2000 with the opening of the Great Court. Today, it continues to be a major attraction for visitors from around the world.