Description:Elias Ashmole (1617-1682), antiquary, collector, astrologer and politician. He was born on Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, attended Lichfield Grammar School and became a chorister at Lichfield Cathedral.
Ashmole is perhaps best known for his gift of collections of antique coins, books, engravings, geological specimens, and zoological specimens (including items collected by the Tradescants) to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which opened in May 1683, shortly after his death. The first keeper was Sir Robert Plot.
An engraving by William Faithorne (1616-1691).