Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and 11th Earl of Kincardine (July 20, 1766 - November 14, 1841) was a British nobleman and diplomat, known for the removal of marble sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens -- popularly known as the Elgin Marbles. July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ... take you to calendar). ... This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ... The Parthenon seen from the hill of the Pnyx to the west The Parthenon (Greek: Παρθενώνας) is the best-known surviving building of Ancient Greece and is regarded as one of the worlds greatest cultural monuments. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína (IPA: )) is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. ... Metope from the Parthenon marbles depicting a Centaur and a Lapith fighting A closeup of an Elgin marble displayed in the British Museum. ...

Elgin was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire between 1799 and 1803. He had a great enthusiasm for antiquities, and was shocked by the indifference of the ruling Turks to the worsening condition of the sculptures. His motive in removing them was to preserve them, but his workers did considerable damage in the process. Even at the time, his actions were controversial. Elgin spent vast amounts of money in having them shipped home to Britain, which he never recouped. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1799 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Elgin's time in the Near East had been full of personal misfortune. He had lost his nose during an outbreak of "plague", and this made him even less appealing to his young wife than he had previously been. On his journey home, through France, the earl and some of his companions were taken prisoners of war (war having broken out after they left for home) and were held in detention for several months. Although they were well-treated, Lady Elgin had to travel home without her husband, and began a liaison with one of her escorts. On his return to Britain, Elgin, finding that he could not get the British Museum to pay what he was asking for the marbles, sued his wife's lover for an appropriately high sum. He then remarried (an even younger woman) and went to live on the Continent. The marbles were put on display and were eventually bought for the nation in 1816. The main entrance to the British Museum. ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...