The Pharmacopoeia Londinensis is one of the most significant books in the history of the Royal College of Physicians. The first two editions are currently only display in the RCP Treasures Room.
The RCP museum has recently acquired the court dress of Sir William Withey Gull, one of Queen Victoria’s physicians. Storing these exciting items presented some interesting challenges.
A small book of 16th century medical for ordinary people reveals a lot about how books were handled and used in centuries past.
Royal physician William Harvey was present at the Battle of Edgehill during the English Civil War. King Charles I presented Harvey with a portrait of his son, Charles, as a gift.
A collection of papers in the RCP archives reveals the life, work and personality of physician Max Rosenheim (1908–1972).
Elaborate fine dining, including instructions on how to carve a calf’s head, fold a napkin into a turkey, or carve an apple into an elaborate decoration, is this month’s curator’s curiosity in the RCP museum.
William Harvey is famous for discovering the circulation of the blood around the body. He was also involved in 17th century investigations into allegations of witchcraft.
RCP fellows’ interests have always ranged far and wide. In the 17th century, Walter Charleton investigated the possible origins of the prehistoric monument Stonehenge.
In 1962 the Royal College of Physicians published a landmark report on the dangers of smoking tobacco. It features as the March object in our Curator’s Curiosities heritage trail.
A new embroidered tapestry created by the Keiskamma Trust, South Africa, reflects 500 years of RCP history.
