When envoy at Constantinople (1799–1803) he feared the destruction of Greek antiquities in the conflict between Turks and Greeks and obtained permission from the Turks to remove them. Between 1803 and 1812 he transported a number of sculptures to England, many from the Parthenon in Athens (which was under Turkish control). The British government vindicated Elgin’s actions and purchased the ‘Elgin Marbles’ from him in 1816 for £35,000 to exhibit them in the British Museum, where they can still be seen, in spite of Greek claims for their return.