Collectors
Some of RAMM’s most important collectors have fascinating life stories. Here you can read about significant collectors and discover how the way museums collect has changed over time.
Early Collectors
The origin of RAMM’s wonderful, diverse collection lies in the early 19th century. The story begins with the Devon and Exeter Institution. Founded in Exeter in 1813, it amassed significant natural history specimens, as well as ethnography and antiquities. Many of its members took part in journeys of exploration and research around the globe. Their objects and specimens reflected this international dimension.
Other private collections in Devon came to RAMM. Such as those of F.W.L. Ross of Topsham, and the Vaughan family who had bought items from Captain Cook’s voyages at the Leverian Museum sale in London in 1806.
A great variety of gifts, bequests and purchases throughout the late 19th century complemented these donations. Natural History figured most strongly, but most of RAMM’s current collecting areas were established. From early on the museum was international in scope. This was a reflection of the prominent role played by Devonian families in the army or navy, colonial service, and as missionaries and traders.
In the early 1900s there were several particularly important bequests. In 1904 the Percy Sladen echinoderm collection arrived, then in 1919 C.V.A. Peel’s collection of mammals. Among this batch was RAMM’s famous giraffe ‘Gerald’. Benefactors to the art collection included the horticulturalist Sir Harry Veitch, who in 1924 bequeathed a large personal collection of watercolours, oil paintings and prints.
The antiquities collection expanded considerably after 1930. An extensive collection of medieval West Country woodwork formed by Harry Hems was a fantastic acquisition. Then, in 1946, Colonel Leopold Montague bequeathed 800 classical antiquities and ethnographic pieces to the museum.
Recent Collecting
The nature of collecting has changed considerably since RAMM’s formation. RAMM adheres to all legislation on the global import, export and sale of material as well as wildlife protection laws. RAMM’s Collections Development Policy outlines the museum’s attitude towards collecting and the areas where active collecting continues to take place.