Natural Science

Sheffield’s Natural Science collections originated in the 1820s with Sheffield Literary & Philosophical Society. The earliest parts of the collection are international, reflecting the global reach of Britain’s industrialists, scientists and explorers during the Imperial age. The majority of the collection is from the Sheffield region.

The collection comprises 225,000 specimens. They are a unique record of our historic and contemporary environment. The data within the collection offer insights into landscape, species, climate change and the history of scientific discovery.

Significant collectors include Margaret and Horatia Gatty, Henry Clifton Sorby, Jonathan Salt, Henry Seebohm and Wilfred Robinson Barker. The museum also holds specimens contributed by the biological recorders of the Sorby Natural History Society.

If you want to search for a specific item, phrase or object number, enter your search term in speech marks e.g. "Benty Grange".

Click here to search our full online collection.