Rosetta Stone arrives in England and enters the British Museum

Background. The Rosetta Stone was captured by British troops in Egypt in 1801 following the defeat of the French campaign. Under the terms of the Capitulation of Alexandria, the stone was taken to London. It was transported aboard the captured French frigate HMS Égyptienne, arriving in Portsmouth in February 1802, marking the beginning of its repatriation to British institutions.

Presentation to the Society of Antiquaries. Upon arrival in England, the stone was presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London. It was first seen and discussed at a meeting on 11 March 1802. The Society created four plaster casts of the inscriptions in 1802, distributing them to universities in Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Trinity College Dublin.

Deposit in the British Museum. Before the end of 1802, the stone was transferred to the British Museum. It has been exhibited almost continuously there since June 1802. The stone bears inscriptions stating it was captured by the British Army in 1801 and presented by King George III, reflecting its status as a royal gift to the national collection.