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rcpmuseum.bsky.social
RCP museum
@rcpmuseum.bsky.social
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The Royal College of Physicians museum, heritage library, archive & garden in Regent's Park | History, medicine, art & modernist architecture | Exhibitions & events
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rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Explore striking art installation Making Visible by doctoral researcher Catherine James & exhibition 'A body of knowledge' Mon 10 Nov. With an exclusive intro from Harveian Librarian Anita Simonds @anitaks.bsky.social!
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/making...

@rcphysicians.bsky.social #BodyOfKnowledge
Visitors examine the portrait and some of the covered books that feature in Making Visible. A woman leans over the a display case containing open books in the exhibition.
November 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
The @rcphysicians.bsky.social Heritage Library has many texts that explore topics beyond what we might think of as typical in a 'medical' library. Discover some of the highlights in exhibition 'A body of knowledge' open at the RCP until July 2026.
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/...
Exhibition graphic showing the text: A body of knowledge Discover 500 years of book collecting at the Royal College of Physicians 10 September 2025 - 23 July 2026 Exhibition | Free entry
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
'They will first appeare like so many starres and when the starres are spent… they will run wrigling to and fro like Serpents'

This is a description of 'fisfigs', incredibly dramatic firework designs in 'Pyrotechnia' by J Babington, 1635.

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/light-b... - Don't try at home!
A printed illustration of fireworks display in the shape of a dramatic scene with a floating fortress, sea monsters and castles. A printed illustration of men using tools to shape and pack fireworks. A printed illustration of fireworks in the shape of St George on a horse and the dragon.
November 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce a virtual winter lectures for exhibition 'A body of knowledge' is open to book 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/body-k...

🗓️ 6pm GMT, 9 Dec, £5
😍 Featuring a virtual exhibition tour & fascinating lectures from @awickenden.bsky.social & @samuscript.bsky.social!

#LibraryHistory
Image of an open anatomy book showing a skeleton and other books in cases in the exhibition. Open books in cases in the exhibition, the nearest book is in Arabic.
November 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Feeling spooky? Here are 3 Memento Mori to visit at the Museum: history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/feeling...
#halloween #mementomori #callingallskeletons
Skull ring encrusted with amethyst
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
We've also had 2 lovely days of making - bookmarks, illustrated letters, origami, stencils, prints & more!

You can join us for more crafts every morning this week - book now or drop by from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Just make a small donation to take part

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events
#BodyOfKnowledge
Three children showing off their collection of crafts including, origami, bookmarks and illustrated letters. A selection of crafts made by children including, origami, bookmarks and illustrated letters.
October 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for a fabulous story-time with the amazing Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social!

Vanessa created a unique tale all about the library of the RCP. There was music, puppets, pretend flames, smells, a disco ball & books!

@rcphysicians.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Happy #IntersexAwarenessDay!

These doctor’s notes give an insight into the life of a teen in 1830 who today might refer to themselves as #intersex. Working as a household servant there is the suggestion they lost their job due to being intersex. Discrimination still faced by many today.

#Histmed
An extract of handwritten doctors notes referring to a teen in 1830 who today might refer to themselves as intersex.
October 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Did you know the @rcphysicians.bsky.social lost nearly its entire library in the Great Fire of London?
Storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social
has created a fabulous story all about the library, join us Mon 27 Oct to discover more!

Book👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
The workshop will take inspiration from the beautiful 13th century Wilton Psalter on display digitally in ‘A Body of Knowledge’. With the artist we will peel back the layers to understand how our medieval counterparts created these beautiful illuminated letters.

@rcphysicians.bsky.social
A page from the Wilton Psalter showing a beautifully illuminated capital letter. An illuminated letter created using the Wilton Psalter as inspiration
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Join us Sat 29 Nov for an all day practical workshop to create your own illuminated letter to take home or give as a festive gift.

Artist Sarah Davis will lead the session using an array of medieval techniques & materials, including 23ct gold leaf.

Book👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/illumi...
A close up of Sarah Davis' hands as she paints an illuminated letter Photo of artist Sarah Davis at her workbench
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
One of the student halls at the University of Lagos is called the Kwaku Adadevoh Hostel to acknowledge the legacy & contributions made to the University by its 4th vice-chancellor. But who was Kwaku Adadevoh & what did he do?

Discover👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/remembe...

#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM
A black and white photo of Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, a black man with short hair and moustache wearing a suit with white shirt and tie.
October 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Did you know the RCP Heritage Library has over 50,000 books? 🤯

Storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social has created a fabulous story all about the library & its secrets. Join us next Mon 27 Oct for #halfterm to discover more!

Book now 👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
We didn't know there was a #NationalOpossumDay! Thanks for sharing.

We've found a slightly judgemental opossum in our collections by Edward Tyson. One of his 'Drawings of natural history and comparative anatomy' in his Manuscripts, 1693.

Less curls more claws . . .

#OpossumDay #RareBooks
A hand drawn illustration of an opossum by Edward Tyson.
October 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Chitqua gifted Askew this sculpture, in gratitude as his patient, or for his hospitality. It's made from clay brought from China with a bamboo frame. Due to its fragility, only 4 examples like this of his work have survived. Askew’s daughter, Lady Deborah Pepys, donated it to the Museum in 1831.
An hand-written extract for the RCP annals listing donations to the college in 1831. The highlighted text reads: 'A clay model of Dr Askew - by Lady Pepys' The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by Chitqua out of its case for inspection. The sculpture shows a white man in a grey curled wig sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a gold-topped physicians cane.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
At first glance, this sculpture of physician & RCP registrar, Dr Antony Askew perhaps looks European in pose & fashion: Askew’s physician’s cane, robes & wig are faithfully modelled. However, the rocky landscape where Askew sits, underpins its Chinese style.
The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by Chitqua front view. A white man sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a gold-topped physicians cane. The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by Chitqua rear view. A man from behind with a grey curled wig sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
#BehindTheScenes at the museum today we have one of our more delicate collection objects out - an amazingly rare sculpture by the ‘Ingenious Chinese artist’ Chitqua, (Tan Che Qua) c. 1728–1796.😍

ICON accredited conservator Alexandra Kosinova ACR is evaluating the statuette for a potential loan.🔍
The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by artist Chitqua, a white man sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a physicians cane being inspected. The clay sculpture of Anthony Askew by artist Chitqua, a white man sitting on a rocky outcrop dressed in red robes and holding a physicians cane being inspected closely with a torchlight by conservator Angela Kosinova.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Linacre’s own translations of the works of Roman physician Galen became useful resources for medical students at a time when the @rcphysicians.bsky.social exams were based on 17 Galenic set texts.
Learn more in our current exhibition #BodyOfKnowledge.
👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/exhibitions/...
A title page form one of Thomas Linacre's translated Latin texts. A title page form one of Thomas Linacre's translated texts by Galen.
October 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Thomas Linacre, founding fellow of @rcphysicians.bsky.social died #OTD 1524. He opened up his house on Knightrider Street in the City of London as the first home of the College, and allowed the fellows to make use of this own personal library.

#HistMed
An oil painting portrait of Thomas Linacre, a white man with brown hair over his ears and a flat black hat, white shirt and black coat. A black and white illustration of Stone House and flat roofed 16th C 3-storey building.
October 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Tickets to the storytelling include the chance to explore our exhibition with a new children’s trail plus drop in for book inspired crafts to print, fold, colour & create something fab to take home.

#BodyOfKnowledge #halfterm
An image of a range of paper-based crafts including an origami pumpkin, a coloured in illuminated letter, a multicoloured printed ghost and an anatomical illustration.
October 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Join storyteller Vanessa Woolf @londondreamtime.bsky.social for an exciting family storytime 27 October @rcphysicians.bsky.social!
There will be music, props, smells & a secret revealed!
Pick from a selection of times through the day.
Book now👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/event/tales-...

#BodyOfKnowledge
October 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
Today for #BlackHistoryMonth we are sharing the story of Muriel Buxton-Thomas, 1945–2016. Born in Sierra Leone, she was an internationally recognised & award-winning physician for her ‘exceptional contribution to nuclear medicine’.

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/blog/muriel-...

@rcphysicians.bsky.social
A black and white photo of Muriel Buxton-Thomas, a Black woman with shoulder length hair and wearing a collared shirt.
October 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
You can also pick up our brand new children's trail, launching at #halfterm, to explore the exhibition 'A body of knowledge'.
Follow Octo the octopus on adventure through the RCP's books 🐙

#BodyOfKnowledge
Image of a colourful childrens trail featuring images of a cartoon octopus sitting on top of a display case of books.
October 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
We've been having fun getting ready for the #halfterm crafts on 28, 29 & 31 Oct!
Join us for printing patterns, bookmark making, moving diagrams, fabulous colouring & more! Spookily themed on Halloween🎃

👉 history.rcp.ac.uk/events
Pay what you feel to book: £1, £3, £5 or more to support the museum.
October 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
In 1543 Andreas Vesalius produced one of the most famous books in medical history: De humani corporis fabrica (‘On the fabric of the human body). A 1st edition is on display in exhibition #BodyOfKnowledge!
The anniversary of his death #OTD 1564 is now celebrated as #WorldAnatomyDay.
Discover more 👇
October 15, 2025 at 8:57 AM