RCSEd Library & Archive
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social
News, collection highlights and heritage stories from the Library & Archive at Surgeons' Hall/Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh #histmed
https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk
https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/career-hub/learning-resources/library-and-archive
https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk
https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/career-hub/learning-resources/library-and-archive
Pinned
“Can’t you just digitise it all!” we’re asked. Sadly not my friend, because resources. #Decisions are made based on likely user-interest & fragility of material. Here's our digital collections site with c.15,000 images: archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/special-coll... #EYADecisions #ExploreYourArchive
We will be closed for the festive break and re-open Monday 5 January 2026. We wish you all a very happy and peaceful holiday!
December 23, 2025 at 1:11 PM
We will be closed for the festive break and re-open Monday 5 January 2026. We wish you all a very happy and peaceful holiday!
When your surgeon's absolutely buzzing to be in a Santa suit.
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1913
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1913
December 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
When your surgeon's absolutely buzzing to be in a Santa suit.
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1913
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1913
If anyone needs help wrapping Christmas presents to make them look beautiful our College Archivist is available. Don't all rush at once.
December 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
If anyone needs help wrapping Christmas presents to make them look beautiful our College Archivist is available. Don't all rush at once.
Medical students outside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 1912.
November 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Medical students outside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 1912.
A plate from “Engravings, Explaining the Anatomy of the Bones, Muscles, and Joints” by Scottish surgeon-anatomist John Bell FRCSEd, published in 1794. Bell illustrated his own works based on dissections he carried out in his Edinburgh anatomy school.
October 31, 2025 at 11:49 AM
A plate from “Engravings, Explaining the Anatomy of the Bones, Muscles, and Joints” by Scottish surgeon-anatomist John Bell FRCSEd, published in 1794. Bell illustrated his own works based on dissections he carried out in his Edinburgh anatomy school.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Gentlemen!
October 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Gentlemen!
Clocking on for spooky season.
October 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Clocking on for spooky season.
We haven't been round these parts much recently so dropping in to say hello and please enjoy these images of Baillière’s Synthetic Anatomy. Published in the 1920s & a descendent of the earlier paper anatomical flap books, each section uses glassine transparent overlays. Have a good weekend!
September 12, 2025 at 4:26 PM
We haven't been round these parts much recently so dropping in to say hello and please enjoy these images of Baillière’s Synthetic Anatomy. Published in the 1920s & a descendent of the earlier paper anatomical flap books, each section uses glassine transparent overlays. Have a good weekend!
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
#EdinburghSurgeonsProject - August 1668 - Five dollars (Scots) given to the widow ('relict') of Hector Mclie, surgeon, to pay for his funeral expenses, a traditional function of craft incorporations. #corporatism #palaeography
September 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
#EdinburghSurgeonsProject - August 1668 - Five dollars (Scots) given to the widow ('relict') of Hector Mclie, surgeon, to pay for his funeral expenses, a traditional function of craft incorporations. #corporatism #palaeography
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
As knowledge of asepsis increased, the design of instruments changed to allow easy sterilisation. metal boxes that could be cleaned properly also replaced the wooden, velvet lined boxes of the 19th century. Surgeons still sterilised and re-used needles between procedures.
September 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM
As knowledge of asepsis increased, the design of instruments changed to allow easy sterilisation. metal boxes that could be cleaned properly also replaced the wooden, velvet lined boxes of the 19th century. Surgeons still sterilised and re-used needles between procedures.
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
One of my projects is a transcription of the late 17th c. minute book of the Edinburgh Incorporation of Surgeons for the @rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social. Masters were supposed to pay a booking fee to the Inc. for servants and apprentices, but some failed to do so, bringing a hefty £3 fine.
August 26, 2025 at 7:35 AM
One of my projects is a transcription of the late 17th c. minute book of the Edinburgh Incorporation of Surgeons for the @rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social. Masters were supposed to pay a booking fee to the Inc. for servants and apprentices, but some failed to do so, bringing a hefty £3 fine.
We had a great time welcoming the students to the College Library and @surgeonshall.bsky.social today. A truly inspiring group of women.
"I hope there comes a day in Afghanistan when women can do whatever they want."
It's a year since we helped bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland to continue their studies.
Omulbanin Sultani reflects on her life before and since then: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's a year since we helped bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland to continue their studies.
Omulbanin Sultani reflects on her life before and since then: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'In Scotland I can pursue medicine dreams the Taliban took away'
Omulbanin Sultani was among a group of Afghan medical students able to continue their studies in Scotland after the Taliban seized control of the country.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We had a great time welcoming the students to the College Library and @surgeonshall.bsky.social today. A truly inspiring group of women.
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
📣JOB ALERT 📣 The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has a vacancy for a Project Records Assistant, which will give experience of both Archives & Records Management. Closing date 5 pm on 22 Aug. Come join the Heritage team! cezanneondemand.intervieweb.it/rcsed/jobs/p...
July 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
📣JOB ALERT 📣 The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has a vacancy for a Project Records Assistant, which will give experience of both Archives & Records Management. Closing date 5 pm on 22 Aug. Come join the Heritage team! cezanneondemand.intervieweb.it/rcsed/jobs/p...
📣JOB ALERT 📣 The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has a vacancy for a Project Records Assistant, which will give experience of both Archives & Records Management. Closing date 5 pm on 22 Aug. Come join the Heritage team! cezanneondemand.intervieweb.it/rcsed/jobs/p...
July 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
📣JOB ALERT 📣 The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has a vacancy for a Project Records Assistant, which will give experience of both Archives & Records Management. Closing date 5 pm on 22 Aug. Come join the Heritage team! cezanneondemand.intervieweb.it/rcsed/jobs/p...
For South Asian Heritage Month see our guest blog by Dr Theeba Krishnamoorty on the pioneering doctor and activist Dr Nallamma Williams, a prominent voice in Sri Lanka’s early suffrage movement rcsedlibraryandarchive.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/d... #SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes
July 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
For South Asian Heritage Month see our guest blog by Dr Theeba Krishnamoorty on the pioneering doctor and activist Dr Nallamma Williams, a prominent voice in Sri Lanka’s early suffrage movement rcsedlibraryandarchive.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/d... #SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes
An operation in progress, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, late 19th century.
July 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
An operation in progress, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, late 19th century.
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
Our Collections Coordinator, Danielle Dray, explores the remarkable life of Professor Dorothy Ann Geddes, who made history as the first woman to hold a professorship in dentistry in the United Kingdom.
surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/p...
surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/p...
Professor Dorothy Ann Geddes
Our Collections Coordinator, Danielle Dray, explores the remarkable life of Professor Dorothy Ann Geddes, who made history as the first woman to hold a professorship in dentistry in the United King…
surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Our Collections Coordinator, Danielle Dray, explores the remarkable life of Professor Dorothy Ann Geddes, who made history as the first woman to hold a professorship in dentistry in the United Kingdom.
surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/p...
surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2025/07/18/p...
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
Today marks the start of South Asian Heritage Month. To celebrate we have a wonderful new blog post by Dr Theeba Krishnamoorty, discussing the very 1st South Asian women to qualify to practice medicine heritageblog.rcpsg.ac.uk/2025/07/18/a...
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes #womeninmedicine
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes #womeninmedicine
July 18, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Today marks the start of South Asian Heritage Month. To celebrate we have a wonderful new blog post by Dr Theeba Krishnamoorty, discussing the very 1st South Asian women to qualify to practice medicine heritageblog.rcpsg.ac.uk/2025/07/18/a...
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes #womeninmedicine
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes #womeninmedicine
#OTD 1505 the Surgeons and Barbers of Edinburgh united and were formally incorporated as a craft guild by the Town Council. Happy birthday to us, we’re 520 years old!
July 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 1505 the Surgeons and Barbers of Edinburgh united and were formally incorporated as a craft guild by the Town Council. Happy birthday to us, we’re 520 years old!
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
Dr Clare McNaught has been elected as the new President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Dr McNaught will become the College's first ever female President in the College's 520-year history, and will succeed Professor Rowan Parks.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44kf55F
Dr McNaught will become the College's first ever female President in the College's 520-year history, and will succeed Professor Rowan Parks.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44kf55F
June 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Dr Clare McNaught has been elected as the new President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Dr McNaught will become the College's first ever female President in the College's 520-year history, and will succeed Professor Rowan Parks.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44kf55F
Dr McNaught will become the College's first ever female President in the College's 520-year history, and will succeed Professor Rowan Parks.
Read more: https://bit.ly/44kf55F
Reposted by RCSEd Library & Archive
The latest episode of Beyond the Knife has dropped!
In this episode, Steven Kerr, the Librarian
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social, discusses the extraordinary story behind one of histories most enduring medical texts -Gray's Anatomy.
You can find Beyond the Knife wherever you get your podcasts!
In this episode, Steven Kerr, the Librarian
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social, discusses the extraordinary story behind one of histories most enduring medical texts -Gray's Anatomy.
You can find Beyond the Knife wherever you get your podcasts!
June 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The latest episode of Beyond the Knife has dropped!
In this episode, Steven Kerr, the Librarian
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social, discusses the extraordinary story behind one of histories most enduring medical texts -Gray's Anatomy.
You can find Beyond the Knife wherever you get your podcasts!
In this episode, Steven Kerr, the Librarian
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social, discusses the extraordinary story behind one of histories most enduring medical texts -Gray's Anatomy.
You can find Beyond the Knife wherever you get your podcasts!
It's #InsectWeek and also the @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is wildlife & the environment. Insects feed on paper so library & archive collections are stored under strict environmental controls. Here's some illustrations of wildlife, who may also have dined on their host!
June 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
It's #InsectWeek and also the @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is wildlife & the environment. Insects feed on paper so library & archive collections are stored under strict environmental controls. Here's some illustrations of wildlife, who may also have dined on their host!
This is our 1st edition of William Harvey’s groundbreaking ‘Exercitatio Anatomica De Motu Cordis…’, published in 1628, which is often cited as the most important book in the history of medicine. Harvey was the first to recognize the full circulation of the blood in the human body #NationalBloodWeek
June 12, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This is our 1st edition of William Harvey’s groundbreaking ‘Exercitatio Anatomica De Motu Cordis…’, published in 1628, which is often cited as the most important book in the history of medicine. Harvey was the first to recognize the full circulation of the blood in the human body #NationalBloodWeek
This art & anatomy lecture notebook belonged to Edinburgh surgeon Patrick Heron Watson, c.1856. The only @rcsed.bsky.social Fellow to have been President twice, some argue he inspired his pupil Arthur Conan Doyle's character 'Dr Watson'. Digitised here: archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/special-coll...?
June 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
This art & anatomy lecture notebook belonged to Edinburgh surgeon Patrick Heron Watson, c.1856. The only @rcsed.bsky.social Fellow to have been President twice, some argue he inspired his pupil Arthur Conan Doyle's character 'Dr Watson'. Digitised here: archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/special-coll...?
Anaesthesia pioneer James Young Simpson was born #OTD 1811. We love this student's sketch of Simpson lecturing as Professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University in the 1850s.
June 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Anaesthesia pioneer James Young Simpson was born #OTD 1811. We love this student's sketch of Simpson lecturing as Professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University in the 1850s.