This volume traces the cultural history of natural history museums from their origins in the 18th century through the present day, by tracing the changing attitudes and philosophies that influence the public displays of major natural history museums. The author includes anecdotes and stories, showing the development over time from displays of individual collectors' curios and occasionally gruesome oddities, to the more politically sensitive and intellectually ambitious exercises in public education that constitute the modern day permanent exhibitions at museums. The dichotomy between the front window, exhibit portion of natural history museums, and the backstage areas where scientific work goes forward, and the dual roles and missions served by this cultural institution, are all portrayed.