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/...

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

Find out more about this story and other LGBTQ+ histories uncovered in our collection in this recorded talk from 2024. You can skip ahead to the relevant section at 12.10 for #IntersexAwarenessDay but we'd recommend settling in to watch it all!

👉 youtu.be/2i3RuFI6aGE?...

#LGBTQ+

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

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

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.

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.

Chitqua was a Chinese clay figure portrait sculptor who travelled to England in 1769. Chinese visitors in the 1700s were very uncommon & he is the only recorded Chinese artist in England producing clay portrait figures at the time. While here Chitqua met with royalty, artists & the cultural elite.

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/...