Hans SloaneHans Sloane was born 16th April 1660 in Killyleagh in a small house on the edge of the Castle grounds. He moved to London in 1679 to pursue studies in medicine and chemistry. Hans then went on to study botany and other medical disciplines. He became a noted physician, scientist and collector of plants, animals, antiques, coins and many other interesting items of that era. This collection formed the basis of the British Museum. As a boy he noticed that the local people chewed dulse (a form of seaweed). He later went on to discover that this cured scurvy. Whilst in Jamaica he made his most renowned discovery of drinking cholocate. Messrs Cadbury who manufactured chocolate began using Sloan’s recipe during the 19th Century. Sloane Square in London was established as a memorial to Hans. A replica of the statue from the square was erected in 2002 and unveiled by Baron Killyleagh, H. R. H Duke of York.
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