In Jamaica, Stearn followed in the footsteps of Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753), whose collection had been left to the Natural History Museum.[9][1] Stearn's generic work at the museum concentrated on Allium,[46] Lilium and Paeonia.[5] He continued to travel widely, with field work in Europe (particularly Greece), Australia, and the United States,[9] and published 200 papers during his twenty-four years at the museum, and although the library was not his responsibility, he spent much time there adding written notes to many of the critical texts.[23]