John Caius: anxiety, obsession and the creation of tradition at the Royal College of Physicians

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is the oldest medical college in England and is famous for its traditions and ceremonies, passed down from the time of its founding in 1518. But how did these traditions come to be? And for what purpose? They were the creation of one man, John Caius (1510-1573), one of the longest serving presidents of the College, and were the result of Caius’ singular obsession with the illusion of stability in the highly uncertain age of the Counter-Reformation. 

Discover the how and why of John Caius' reshaping of the RCP and its impact on the centuries that followed in our new video with Harveian Librarian of the RCP Dr Louella Vaughan.

Audience comments: 

‘It is so wonderful to be 300 miles away, with no present possibility of attending in person, to be able to hear such an excellent presentation.’

‘...Very interesting, Caius was obviously a bit dodgy.’