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Survey of the archives of the Royal College
of Physicians of Edinburgh
Report of findings along with recommendations on maintenance, organisation and
cataloguing of archival collections
16th February – 1st May 2009
Kris McKie
Consultant Archivist
May 2009
Contents
Page
Executive summary 2
Summary of recommendations 3
1 Introduction 6
2 Overview of the College archival collections 7
2.1 Background and history of the College archive 7
2.2 The current state of the collections 8
3 Initial recommendations for the long-term maintenance and organisation
of the collections 11
3.1 Accession register 11
3.2 Central cataloguing system and standardised catalogue format 12
3.3 Locations referencing 12
3.4 Collections clearly defined 13
4 The College records 14
4.1 Overview and research value of the collection 14
4.2 Recommendations 18
4.3 Cataloguing of College records 25
4.4 Summary and timescales 25
5 Deposited papers 27
5.1 Overview and research value of the deposited collections 27
5.2 Recommendations 31
6 Other issues 40
6.1 Data protection 40
6.2 Records management for recent and current records 42
6.3 Artefacts amongst the collections 44
7 Conclusion 45
8 Appendix 46
8.1 Contents of the Archives Store 46
8.2 Miscellaneous contents of the Top Library 52
8.3 Survey of the College papers 59
8.4 Details of specific deposited collections 77
8.5 Example accession form 99
1
Executive Summary
Report Purpose To survey the archival collections of the
Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh and to provide
recommendations on how they might
best be managed and made available.
Overview of collection The College archive contains a wealth
of valuable material mostly dating from
the 18th to the 20th Century. The records
of the College itself are extensive with
many complete series of records
detailing the history of the College from
its inception to the present day. The
deposited collections are widely varied
and include the personal papers of
significant physicians of the
Enlightenment to large collections of
20th Century administrative records.
Problems faced by the archive Access to all collections is severely
limited by a lack of cataloguing and
organisation. Most of the College
records are completely unusable due to
disorganisation and lack of
investigation. Many of the deposited
collections are effectively „invisible‟
with no supporting documentation to
outline their content or location. Others
are listed or catalogued to a standard
that limits their effective use.
Summary of recommendations
2
With the exception of the first 3 recommendations these are presented in no
particular order.
Recommendation Outline Approximate
likely timescale
for completion
Introduce an accession Used to maintain accession
register records for each new
n/a
collection deposited in the
archive
Introduce an electronic Used to maintain a
cataloguing system standardised central n/a
catalogue for all collections
Introduce a system to Ensure that records are
easily reference locatable to the exact shelf n/a
locations on which they are stored
Introduce a records A records management
management system to system should be introduced
organise and maintain to ensure that another
current College records backlog of historical records
coming into the archive is not created in the future. It unknown
will also ensure that College
records are protected and
monitored from their
creation.
Address Data Material in many of the
Protection issues for collections contains
collections whilst information of a sensitive
cataloguing nature. Such material, if it is n/a
within the relevant dates,
will have to be closed to
access.
Make the historical The first step to making the
College records usable College records usable
and navigable would involve an extensive
physical reorganisation,
followed by a wide scale
appraisal of records, the 1 year
repackaging of those not in
acid-free boxes and the
creation of a basic
hierarchical structure for the
records.
Catalogue the College Based on the hierarchical
1 year
records structure created previously
3
the records should be fully
catalogued and the various
series and sub-series of
records should be identified.
th
Accession all the 20 To gain an understanding of
Century deposited their content and extent.
collections Also, to ensure the status of 1 month
their deposit (i.e. whether a
gift or a loan).
Catalogue the Pringle In order to improve access
and Cullen collections to, and understanding of, 3 months
these valuable resources.
th
Catalogue all 18 In order to improve access
Century collections to these records and
(with the exception of collections most of which 5 months
the Pringle and Cullen are extremely unique and
collections). historically valuable.
th
Fully catalogue the 19 Most of the 19th Century
Century collections that collections are already
are already catalogued catalogued though not to
to a degree. archival standards. These
catalogues can mostly,
however, be transferred to 5 months
archival standard catalogues
thereby making these
collections fully accessible
with a minimum of
resources.
Catalogue the The majority of the 19th
remaining 19th Century Century collections in the
collections held in the Archive Store are already
Archives Store catalogued to a degree. 3 weeks
Those that aren‟t constitute
only a small amount of
material.
th
Catalogue the 19 A wide range of 19th
Century collections Century items and
4 months
held in the Strongroom collections are held in the
Strongroom
Catalogue the Scottish This collection contains
Medical Emergency much valuable statistical
Services Committee information on Scottish 3 months
collection doctors during the First
World War.
Catalogue the smaller, These collections contain
7-10 months
partially investigated much material of potential
4
20th Century significance and value. None
collections of the 20th Century
collections have been fully
investigated, thereby making
it difficult to estimate a
likely timescale.
Catalogue the larger These collections most
entirely uninvestigated likely contain material of
20th Century potential significance and
collections value. These collections 6+ months
have not been investigated,
thereby making it difficult to
estimate a likely timescale.
Repackage all 20th Also place files in acid free
Century collections not folders and remove all metal
housed in acid-free fastenings and clips (e.g. 3+ months
boxes staples, etc.) and replace
with brass paper clips.
Assess storage and
packaging issues of any unknown
of the other collections
1 Introduction
This report has been conducted with the aim of providing information on the current
extent and content of the RCPE archive. Its purpose is also to investigate the ways in
which the management, organisation and cataloguing of the archival collections can
be improved.
This report will provide recommendations on the organisation and management of the
archive from the initial practices and systems required before general cataloguing
5
work can begin to specific recommendations on various collections and record
groups. It will address the College papers and the deposited papers separately giving
an overview of each group before outlining recommendations for their management.
Finally, other issues affecting the archive will be addressed including data protection,
records management of current and recent records, and the presence of physical
artefacts amongst the archival records.
Included in the appendix to this report is a list outlining the known College records
(appendix 8.3) along with summaries of many of the deposited collections (appendix
8.4). These documents have been provided in order to help identify and locate
otherwise undocumented material. They are included with this report to provide
specific details on records and collections in the archives, including extent, content,
and condition. These appendices will often be referred to in the recommendations.
2 Overview of the College archival collections
2.1 Background and brief overview to the College archive
The archives of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh began in 1681 with the
foundation of the College and the production of the very first College records. Since
then the archival collection has developed, through the contributions of the College
and of others, into a rich and varied historical resource. The archive contains records
and collections of diverse origin and subject thanks to its wide influence and esteemed
place in the medical world. Primarily, the records of the College itself have been
6
regularly preserved and maintained, as a result of administrative procedures and of a
conscious attempt to preserve College heritage. The College has also contributed to its
archival collections through the purchase of various manuscripts of significant interest
all of which are now amongst the most valuable collections of the archive. Other
material has been gained through the deposit of personal papers and material of
interest from Fellows and others wishing to contribute to the archive. Furthermore, the
archive‟s close connections with many other smaller bodies and organisations has
often resulted in the papers of these being deposited in the archive. The College‟s
diverse administrative records and the array of external contributors has led to the
accumulation of an archive that is broad and diverse offering insight into numerous
aspects of medical history.
However, despite the archive‟s extent and depth its use is at present limited by a lack
of organisation and cataloguing resulting in a severe lack of access and utilisation of
its resources. Some of the records have been documented and listed to varying
degrees in the past from the creation of an inventory of the College Muniments in the
early twentieth century, to more recently a summary list of many of the various
deposited manuscripts and, even more recently, the in depth cataloguing of a number
of the larger collections of deposited papers. Yet little has been done to tackle the
problem of organising and managing the archive as a whole, thereby ensuring full
access to this valuable resource.
2.1.1 The preservation of current and recent records
The transfer of administrative records from the College and its various offices and
departments to the archive is also an issue that is still to be addressed. No adequate
records management system (or any other system intended to regulate that transfer of
records) has ever been introduced. This is clearly apparent amongst the College
records and their often sporadic variations in nature, quantity and content. For more
information and recommendations on this subject see Chapter 6 Section 6.2.
2.1.2 The preservation of current and recent records
The archive at present is administered as a part of the Library. It is run and maintained
by the College Librarian and Library Assistant who also provide access to the various
collections. A College archivist was employed in the 1990‟s who undertook
significant work in the rearrangement of the collections and the in depth cataloguing
of many of the more substantial collections. Upon the former archivist‟s departure
from the post no other archivist was, or has since, been employed.
2.1.3 Continuing donations
The archive still benefits from a regular influx of material from the College and from
various other contributors. Even whilst this reporting project has been underway the
archive has benefited from two donations. One of these donations consisted of the
personal diaries of the physician and neurologist Edwin Bramwell (son of Byron
Bramwell).
2.2 The current state of the collections
7
2.2.1 Locations of the records
The archival collections are currently located across three storage rooms in various
conditions of storage. These storage rooms are:
The Top Library, the sixteen drawers located around the edge of the Top
Library hold a number of very miscellaneous archival records. 1 Due to the
large size of the drawers a number of outsized items have been located here
(some of these have been extracted from other collections elsewhere).
The Strongroom, the Strongroom contains many of the older collections
including most of the deposited papers of eighteenth century origin (such as
those of William Cullen and those of Sir John Pringle). It also contains much
of the pre-19th Century College material (with the exception of the Fellowship
petitions and Treasurers Accounts which are now located in the Archives
Store).
The Archives Store, the Archives Store holds the vast bulk of the College and
deposited collections.2 It contains the majority of the College papers
(including papers from the 17th century to the 20th Century). It also contains
the majority of deposited collections including the larger 18th, 19th and 20th
Century collections of personal papers and non-College organisational
records.
There is no strict pattern in the way the collections are divided between the three
rooms. Obviously some of the more valuable and unique items and collections (such
as the significant collections of 18th Century papers and the original College minute
books) are held in the Strongroom for security purposes. However, much of the
material shelved here seems to have been done so for reasons other than security -
such as lack of shelf space elsewhere. Such material includes a considerable amount
of miscellaneous records and items with little or no supporting documentation.
The Top Library holds a variety of miscellaneous material which has no real
connection or unifying feature. Some material has been placed here (including some
material extracted from other collections) due to the size of the items. Though, as with
some of the material in the Strongroom, there is a good deal of material in the Top
Library which has been stored here for reasons that are unclear (particularly that
material, such as personal papers, which would be best suited alongside other similar
material elsewhere). The material is housed within 12 of the 16 drawers in the Top
Library with no structured division of records amongst these.
The Archives Store, particularly following its reorganisation as part of this reporting
project, presents the most coherent physical arrangement. As stated the store contains
the bulk of the College records. These are, at present, loosely grouped by record type
(for example „Minutes and related‟, „Correspondence and admin and related‟,
„Financial and related‟, etc.). The store also holds the larger collections of deposited
1
See the „List of archival material located in the Top Library‟ included in Appendix 8.2
2
See the collections location list for the Archives Store included in Appendix 8.1
8
papers along with a number of smaller collections and independent items. These are,
on the whole, well defined in the physical arrangement and relatively easy to identify.
2.2.2 Physical conditions of the records
The storage conditions of the collections vary greatly at present. Much of the material
in the archive is stored in archival quality, acid-free boxes. Other material is stored in
non-archival quality boxes and containers, whilst some records are entirely
unpackaged. The pattern behind the variations in packaging of the collections is
unapparent although it tends to relate to whether the records have been deposited or
investigated recently and whether their storage issues have been remedied as part of
this.
In general it is the collections that were catalogued by the former archivist in the
1990‟s, the older College papers and many of the more recent deposits that have been
housed in acid-free boxes. However, not all of the collections that have been
repackaged in acid-free boxes have had a full assessment of their storage
requirements. The storage conditions of those collections catalogued by the former
archivist tend to be the best as these collections have been fully assessed, repackaged
in acid-free packaging (with individual items or groups of items placed into acid-free
folders), and all corrosive metal fastenings have been removed. None of the other
collections have had such an extensive assessment of their storage requirements.
Many records (approximately two thirds to a half of the entire archive) still retain
corrosive metal fastenings, are bound with decaying rubber bands and/or are stored in
unsuitable packaging.
2.2.3 The intellectual arrangement of the archives - looking at the extent of
cataloguing of the collections and at any existing lists and catalogues
Generally the various collections in the archive are fairly well defined and easy to
identify both physically and (for those which are listed or catalogued) intellectually.
There is very little evidence of different collections overlapping or running into each
other. However, there are some issues on this point that will need to be addressed,
particularly regarding the older deposited material in the Strongroom (see Chapter 3
Section 3.5).
Currently, the collections of the archive are in varying states of cataloguing and
listing. The majority of collections and records series are unlisted with no
documentation to indicate their content, extent or location. Those collections that are
listed or catalogued are done so to varying degrees in varying styles. The
„Manuscripts Catalogue‟ (which outlines much of the older deposited material) simply
gives a title, author and date for the various items, which are arranged in alphabetical
order by author. The „Muniments List‟ (which outlines some of the older College
records) divides the records vaguely by type but under these general divisions each
item is listed in chronological order. The more recent collection catalogues created for
some of the larger collections of deposited papers do go some way to establishing
some sort of navigable hierarchy to the records. These catalogues created by the
former archivist, whilst not of archival standard themselves, present the only realistic
opportunity for translation into a catalogue which abides by archival standards. The
items are listed in some depth and are generally arranged in a usable manner reflective
9
of the original order (the arrangement of these collections is largely done to, or as near
as possible to, the original order in which they were deposited or would most likely
have been arranged by the originator). These particular catalogues will be discussed
further in Chapter 5, Section 5.2.
Turning away from the collections of records which are currently listed to some
degree, there are clearly many more records and collections which are not.
Furthermore, regardless of the lack of cataloguing, due to the fact that there has never
been a system in place to accession records and collections coming in to the archive,
many of the deposited collections are entirely undocumented with no information on
their content, extent or even their existence in the archive. Many of the more recent,
and a few of the older, deposited collections are entirely undocumented. The College
papers are also largely unaccounted for, although this is more an issue of the historic
lack of an effective system for transferring College material to the archive.
Essentially the situation is that no fixed information is available to indicate the
physical extent, location, or deposited status (whether or not they are gifts or loans
and whether there are any conditions placed on their access) of any records in the
archive. In general the archival records – College papers and deposited papers alike –
have no fixed place in the archives and many are entirely „invisible‟. All papers are
physically untraceable, except by those staff with a knowledge of their current
location, and their physical characteristics and extent are essentially unknown (apart
from, again, by those who have a prior knowledge of the records). This not only
creates problems with regards to access and usability but also creates a potentially
disastrous situation with regards to the security of the records.
3 Initial recommendations for the long-term organisation and
maintenance of the collections
Having assessed the existing situation of the College archive it is apparent that there
are many basic practices, policies and systems that the RCPE archive currently lacks
and which would help it to ensure the long-term usability, organisation and
maintenance of the collections. These would include: the creation of an accession
register, the introduction of a central electronic cataloguing system and standard
cataloguing format, the creation of a suitable system to reference the locations of
items and collections, and the separation and arrangement of each collection by
originator.
3.1 Accession register
The practice of accessioning collections upon their deposit is vital to maintaining
accurate information on the origins, characteristics and condition of collections and
records. At present the archive has no system in place to accession new items and
collections deposited in the repository. This has led to many of the more recent
deposited collections being left uninvestigated and potentially unidentifiable with
little or no supporting information. A standardised system should be established as
soon as is practicable to ensure that all necessary information is recorded and
10
maintained upon receipt of deposited collections or items. Necessary information
should include an accession number, a basic summary of the scope and content of the
collection, its condition, its origin – along with details of the depositor – and its given
shelf location after receipt at the repository. Information should also be sought on any
conditions the depositor wishes to place on the records (e.g. to limit user access to
certain files or restrict reproduction of files) and whether the deposit is a loan or a
gift.3 Accession details should be maintained for long-term use in an accession
register.
The practice of gathering details of deposited records, on a standardised form, upon
receipt at the archive benefits the long-term management of collections. Details taken
here aid the cataloguing process whilst also making the records locatable and
identifiable in the interim. Primarily, the accessioning of a record or collection gives it
an „official‟ intellectual and physical place in the archive. It also makes collections
„visible‟ by maintaining a fixed document of their presence in the archive and their
nature.
Following the implementation of an accession register those collections stored in the
archive but otherwise unaccounted for in any form of documentation should be
accessioned as a priority. These include many of the more recent deposited
collections.
3.2 Central cataloguing system and standardised catalogue format
As stated in Chapter 2 Section 2.2 the collections of the College are in varying states
of listing and cataloguing. Of those collections with some sort of catalogue or list the
main hindrance to full and easy use of the records is a lack of identifying information
for records (such as location references and physical extent) along with a lack of
structure demonstrating how the records supplement and relate to surrounding
material. The other key difficulty presented to the user of these records is the lack of
uniformity in the content and arrangement of the catalogues.
In order to aid the capture of all information relevant to collections and to make
available this information to the archives users an electronic cataloguing system needs
to be introduced. The College archive requires in the least a basic cataloguing
database which can be used to create a central intellectual guide to the collections,
standardise collection catalogues and cross-reference collections. The archive requires
a cataloguing system which can be updated easily and which can present an overall
archival structure with descriptive information from fonds level down to item level.
There are a number of archival software packages currently available. These differ
quite broadly and offer various additional tools and levels of functionality. Possibly
the most widely adopted cataloguing package is the CALM cataloguing package by
Axiell. This software package allows for the management of archival collections
3
A basic accession form (based on an example template found at
www.cslib.org/archivesbasics/IntroArch02/SampleAccessionForm.doc) is included in appendix 8.5 of this
report. The form has space for information on the origin, location, description and condition of material.
11
along with objects and artefacts. It also includes extensive capacity and functionality
to create and manage an Online Public Access Catalogue.
3.3 Locations referencing
An attempt has been made as part of this reporting project to provide information on
the locations of records and series. Apart from this, however, the specific locations of
records and collections are, at present, entirely unrecorded. Furthermore, in order to
improve the physical organisation of the collections, many collections have been
relocated during this project. Of those collections with any kind of supporting
documentation a small number have details of the last known room number (for
example „Stored in Basement 8‟). However, this is largely the exception and none of
the collections or items has a traceable shelf number.
Location references should follow a standardised and easily understandable format
enabling the person locating the material to pinpoint the exact shelf upon which the
item or collection is stored. For the purposes of this particular project shelf numbers
have been allocated and a location referencing format has been devised which
incorporates the room name/number along with the particular bay, section of shelving
and shelf (for example Records for the Society for Improving the Conditions of the
Insane are shelved at „Archives Store B3/Se4/Sh1‟). This system was created for the
purposes of this project and may be adapted if necessary. The room and shelf
reference should be recorded for each collection, series and item in order to aid the
location of material and to improve the security of the collection.
3.4 Clearly defined collections
One of the basic tenets of archival theory is the principle of respect des fonds. This
principle essentially dictates that the records of different creators are segregated from
each other physically and intellectually in order to preserve the integrity of each
collection of records and to preserve the composition of the collection as it would
have been maintained by the originator. The purpose of this, along with the principle
of provenance, is to ensure that, not only can each particular record give information
on the creator, but the collection as a whole can provide an insight into the
background of the records demonstrating how the records relate to each other and
how the originator organised and maintained the records. Collections are therefore
distinguished by originator or creating body and not subject matter or any other
characteristic.
On the whole the RCPE archive at present demonstrates this principle well in that
collections are generally defined and distinguished by originator. However, this
principle should be enforced by the creation of fonds (collection) level catalogue
entries for all collections regardless of size in order that each collection is segregated
intellectually.
12
4 The College records
The records of the RCPE itself clearly form a hugely integral part of the archive. The
combination of the lack of an adequate system to monitor and control the transfer of
records from College departments to the archive along with a lack of general archival
administration has led to a relatively disorganised and widely varied collection with,
at present, little uniformity or structural context. The collection, however, presents
potentially excellent opportunities for research and investigation and, if organised
appropriately, would offer a valuable, deep and extensive resource to historians of the
College and of the history of medicine as a whole.
For the purposes of this report it has been decided to impose an informal cut off date
for records to be included in the remit. The reason for this is that the College records
stored in the various archival stores include a great deal of recent material dated up to
and including the early 21st century. This cut off date will be 1960 and the
recommendations made by this report will assume that any future cataloguing and
reorganisation projects will take this as the limit of the work. For further discussion of
the post 1960‟s records see Chapter 6 Section 6.2.
4.1 Overview and research value of the collection
The records generated by the College as a result of its functions, transactions and
communications contain valuable information on all aspects of its activities,
relationships and administration. The College papers preserved in the archive form a
good, relatively complete, image of the College from its inception to the present day.
Due to the College‟s position in the medical world the records of the College provide
valuable insight not only into the internal workings and activities of the College itself
but also into significant external issues and events shaping modern medical history.
13
All aspects of the College‟s interests and activities are recorded to varying degrees.
There are a number of records and series of records which document specific interests
and branches of College activity whilst other records and series present an overview
of the College‟s general administration and day to day functions. Of the former, there
are records documenting such branches of College activity as the Laboratory, the
Library, and many of the various Committees established by the College and those in
which the College was a member. Of the latter, the minute books of College and
Council meetings are well preserved, along with an extensive amount of general
College correspondence and financial records.
4.1.1 General administrative records
Turning to look at the more general administrative records the original College minute
books form a complete series (from 1682 – present) and provide an excellent insight
into the day-to-day administration of the College along with information on
significant events and decisions. The original College Council minute books are also
preserved from 1844-1950. Not only have the original minute books been preserved
but also a large number of draft minutes, from 1682 to the 1990‟s, and typescript
duplications of original minute books have survived.
The correspondence of the College has been relatively well maintained, if in a rather
disorganised manner. A good deal of correspondence (both general correspondence
and that attached to specific College offices) has been preserved from the foundation
of the College to the present day (though the bulk of the correspondence dates from
the mid to late 19th and early twentieth centuries). There are also a number of letter
books. The problem presented by the College correspondence is the varying states and
styles of organisation letters are in. This will be discussed in the „recommendations‟.
If the correspondence were organised it would present an excellent resource for the
study of the history of the College and its interests.
4.1.2 Financial records
A further insight into the activities and functions of the College is provided by the
large amount of financial material. The „accounts‟ of the College Treasurer (being the
receipts, invoices, vouchers, etc. kept by the Treasurer to be written up into ledgers
and journals) have been meticulously preserved from the very first years of the
College‟s existence to the mid-20th Century. This collection, though fairly difficult to
navigate and index due to the various record types it includes, provides potentially
excellent supplementary material to the minutes and correspondence for
investigations into the history of the College. There also appears to be a complete run
of account books for the years 1771 to 1962. In addition to these records series there
exist a number of cashbooks, journals, abstracts of accounts, and other records
documenting much of the College‟s financial activities from the late 19th to the early
20th Century.
4.1.3 Fellowship and Membership records
Details of past Fellows and Members of the College are well preserved within the
substantial collections of Membership and Fellowship petitions covering much of the
14
College‟s existence (the Fellowship petitions run from around 1695 and the
Membership petitions run from the 1880‟s). In supplement to this there are a number
of various 19th and 20th Century records documenting different aspects of College
Membership, Licentiateship and Fellowship including details of rejections,
admissions and attendance at College meetings. Records also exist which provide an
insight into the examinations undertaken by candidates for Membership,
Licentiateship, and Fellowship. A number of candidate schedules (which detail the
results of candidates in the examinations) have been preserved from the late 19th to
the mid 20th centuries. A number of example exam question papers have also been
preserved (in particular a series of Membership examination question papers from
1900 to the 1940‟s).
On the issue of Membership and Fellowship a number of disciplinary cases made
against Members, Fellows and Licentiates are recorded amongst the records. These
disciplinary records appear to mainly date from the very late 19th and early to mid 20th
centuries. The records are largely organised by case and include a variety of material
including correspondence, reports, photographs and court transcripts (depending on
the nature and severity of the case). Some cases have clearly been deemed to warrant
extensive documentation such as the case against the Dr Temple Company, which is
recorded in a great amount of documentation along with a number of large mounted
photographs related to the case.4
4.1.4 Records of the RCPE Laboratory
The Royal College of Physicians Laboratory – the first laboratory for medical
investigation to be established in Britain – is well represented amongst the College
records. Many of the Laboratory‟s records have been preserved and these present the
opportunity to investigate the development of the Laboratory from its inception in
1887 to the end of its operations in 1950. The Superintendent‟s Monthly Reports are
preserved in various formats. These certainly cover the years from 1887-1937 and
may possibly continue further elsewhere amongst the records. The Laboratory
Committee minutes are also well preserved, though again in various formats, and
cover the years 1887-1950. These records present a real opportunity to investigate the
entire span of existence of the Laboratory using primary sources.
Other such record groups of interest include some correspondence related to the
Laboratory. This correspondence, however, is spread amongst many of the boxes,
doesn‟t appear to form a cohesive record group as it is and largely dates from the
early to mid twentieth century. Nonetheless, if organised effectively it would certainly
provide a useful resource. The Laboratory reports issued by the Laboratory –
including the Annual Reports of the Laboratory Curator (of which there are multiple
complete printed sets) – would also present a useful resource for study of the
Laboratory‟s activities.
The vast majority of the Laboratory records are made up of financial material, much
of which dates from the Laboratory‟s closing years. The bulk of the financial material
is in the form of the Laboratory‟s „accounts‟ for the years 1949-50 (of which there are
4
The case was made in connection with the advertising methods employed by the company and the questionable
credentials of its director.
15
12 boxes). These accounts were essentially the slips filled out by physicians sending
specimens to the Laboratory for report. The sheer amount demonstrates the scale of
the Laboratory‟s routine examination and reporting activities, which were particularly
predominant in these later years. Other financial material includes various cashbooks,
ledgers and account books for the early to mid twentieth century (although none of
these appear to form a complete records group).
There are also many individual items of particular interest scattered amongst the
Laboratory records. A cashbook exists detailing the various items of furniture and
equipment bought for the Laboratory prior to its opening in 1887. In another item
giving insight into the Laboratory‟s early years, one of the Laboratory‟s first large-
scale research projects – investigating the production of „a diphtheria antitoxin of
greater effectiveness than those produced elsewhere in Britain‟5 – is fully documented
in a journal written by Dr. Noel Paton (1894-98). Various job applications and
correspondence provide insight into the staffing of the Laboratory. Finally, towards
the end of the Laboratory‟s operations, the Laboratory‟s activities during the Second
World War are documented somewhat by such records as correspondence regarding
Laboratory assistants and military service and correspondence and reports relating to
Laboratory war arrangements.
4.1.5 Committee records
Many of the committees established by the College and many of the joint-committees
of which the College was a member are documented to varying extents amongst the
College papers. The papers of these committees offer evidence on the vast array of
College interests and activities. Committees were often formed when a decision was
to be made regarding College direction or policy or when the College was called upon
by bodies such as the (Department of Health, the British Medical Association or other
health and medical related organisations) to provide advice or opinion on certain
issues of health and medicine external to College affairs. Therefore, the papers of the
College committees and joint-committees offer insight into a wide variety of subjects,
decisions and events both internal and external to the College.
Committee papers of particular interest include the Survey of Medical Services in the
Highlands and Islands carried out between 1850 and 1852 by a College committee
working to investigate the provision and distribution of medical services in the
Highlands and Islands. The bound collection of returned questionnaires, which was a
product of this committee‟s work, is in fact one of the most utilised resources in the
archive at present. The committee papers also include the cholera returns for
Edinburgh in the mid 1800‟s collected for a Committee of the Royal Colleges of
Physicians and Surgeons. Further examples of historically interesting committee
papers include the papers of the Committee appointed to draft a memorandum on the
NHS White Paper (1944), the „Watching‟ Committee (NHS) (1946), and other such
committees formed in connection with the introduction of the NHS White Paper and
the subsequent establishment of the NHS.
4.1.6 Summary
5
W. S. Craig, History of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, (Edinburgh, Blackwell: 1976), p. 108
16
Overall, what the records of the College would offer if they were made fully usable
through reorganisation and cataloguing would be, not merely the chance to utilise
largely unexplored records in support of research into the history of the College itself,
but the opportunity to engage a largely uninvestigated perspective on the development
of organised medicine and the medical profession in Scotland, the UK and worldwide.
The central position of the College in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as one of
the most esteemed institutions offering a medical education, and its later position in
the twentieth century as a voice for the medical profession and a widely consulted
adviser on medical and health related issues means that the College records offer
insight and knowledge on many significant medical and social issues external to the
College.
The nature of the College, as a central body of professional members, and its initial
role in the professionalisation of medicine means that the College records will also be
of great interest to those studying the history of the medical profession itself.
4.2 Recommendations
4.2.1 Overview
There are a number of issues needing to be addressed if the collection of College
papers is to be turned into a resource that is fully usable, navigable and manageable.
Firstly, a massive overhaul of the physical organisation of the records is needed and
the various records series must be identified and brought together. Secondly, there is
significant potential for a large-scale appraisal of the College records. Duplication of
material (particularly printed and published material) is extensive and many of the
larger series of records could well be consolidated to offer a more concise and usable
resource. Thirdly, once the unnecessary elements of the collection have been
extracted, the physical storage and condition of the collection should be addressed.
Many of the records are stored in unsuitable boxes or are completely unhoused.
Archival quality storage materials are required to aid the long-term physical
preservation of the records. Along with this the removal of all fastenings which pose a
threat to the condition of the records (such as metal staples, paper clips, pins, etc.
which can rust and damage paper) should be removed and replaced with archival
quality brass fastenings. Fourthly, to make the collection a usable resource a
hierarchical structure needs to be investigated which is both navigable and
representative of the administrative framework of the College. The various functions,
offices and departments of the College must be represented and the original order of
the collection must be recreated as near as possible. Finally, once these issues have
been addressed the cataloguing of the collection can begin.
4.2.2 The physical reorganisation of the College records
Turning to the physical organisation of the records, the lack of arrangement is an issue
currently affecting the vast majority of the College records. In general it is only those
College records described in the Library „Inventory of Muniments‟ that have, in the
past, had some archival arrangement imposed on them. These records represent, by
far, the minority of College records and the general bulk of the College records still
lack much in the way of physical organisation. In some cases the lack of physical
17
organisation goes down to the level of the records within a particular box, where
records of various type, date and origin are intermixed resulting in a complete loss of
effective navigation and usability. There is also a general lack of organisation across
boxes and record types where records and record groups are divided and intermixed
with other non-related records and record groups. Therefore, during the process of
reorganisation the correct place of all material that appears to be unrelated to the
material around it should be questioned. The particular record groups of concern
include the records of „Correspondence, administration and related‟ and of the
„Laboratory and related‟, although all College records seem to have some degree of
disorganisation. The various record groups and series need to be identified and united.
Following this, an arrangement (chronological or other) should be imposed on the
actual records within each group or series. Furthermore, those record groups or series
that are currently divided between rooms (such as some of the general correspondence
and some of the financial material) should be united in one location.
4.2.2.1 Minutes and related
At present the „Minutes and related‟ material presents little problem with regards
physical arrangement. The minute books and the draft minutes are currently arranged
to a somewhat reasonable level of organisation. There will, however, be scope for a
good deal of appraisal with these records. This will be outlined below.
4.2.2.2 Correspondence, administration and related
With regards to the physical organisation of those records identified for the purposes
of this report as „Correspondence, administration and related‟ these are the records
that will no doubt need the most attention. There are numerous files, interleaved with
these records, which belong elsewhere including various reports, financial material
and disciplinary cases. Some groups of records such as the 5 boxes labelled “General
Correspondence”, 1704-1885 (item 16 in the relevant section of the College papers
list in the appendix), the 25 boxes labelled with just a year, e.g. “1882”, 1876-1891
(item 13), and the 6 bound Letter Books, 1886-1942 (item 11) present little problem in
their current organisation. These groups are generally arranged chronologically and
solely contain correspondence. However, other groups of records including the 10
boxes labelled “Secretary/President, 1890‟s”, [1875-1890‟s] (item 1) and the 10
boxes labelled “Clerk‟s files”, [1843-1937] (item 10) seem to have little or no pattern
or arrangement to their content. It appears that their content has been made up of
various miscellaneous correspondence and other documents with no attempt made
towards organisation. Related records overlap between boxes and between other
sections of the College records. There is little or no identification of any sort of
chronology or of the particular office the letters and other material have originated
from (except for the small amount of information given on the box labels which is
generally vague and inaccurate or unverifiable).
The correspondence should ideally be organised by originating office (e.g. Secretary‟s
Office, President‟s Office, Clerk‟s Office, etc.) and then arranged chronologically into
bundles. This would demonstrate the administrative structure of the College and make
navigation of the correspondence much more straightforward. A „General College
correspondence‟ sub-series may also be introduced for material that doesn‟t relate to a
specific office or for which the office is unidentifiable. The problem presented here,
18
however, is that the correspondence has been maintained in a variety of ways. Some
correspondence has been divided and organised on the grounds of date, other
correspondence is organised by office where little attention has been paid to imposing
a chronological order within this, and still other correspondence is completely
unorganised. Due to the disarray of the correspondence it may prove too time
consuming to identify offices of origin for the various letters. If this is the case then
correspondence should be arranged chronologically and catalogued under the series
„General College Correspondence‟.
Finally, all non-correspondence records, which clearly belong elsewhere (and have
clearly not been sent as an attachment to a letter), should be identified and extracted.
These would include the various reports, billets, accounts, disciplinary cases, etc.
found amongst much of the correspondence.
4.2.2.3 Disciplinary cases and related
The „Disciplinary cases and related‟6 records are relatively organised as they are. The
majority are already arranged by the name of the individual concerned in the case.
Some disciplinary material has been separated and intermixed with other material
such as the „Correspondence, administration and related‟. This should be extracted
and added to the existing disciplinary material. All of this disciplinary material
(including that extracted from other sections such as the „correspondence‟) should be
arranged by particular case and then each case arranged in alphabetical order or by
date.
4.2.2.4 Financial and related
The physical reorganisation of the „Financial and related‟ material into a usable
arrangement should be relatively simple. The records of the largest record group in
this section, the 40 boxes of Treasurers Accounts, 1683 – 1913 (item 1 in the relevant
section of the College papers list in the appendix), is already arranged chronologically
and bundled appropriately. Furthermore, much of the material here takes the form of
bound volumes and record groups should be relatively easy to identify as the type of
records falling under this heading is fairly limited. Some material may pose a problem
such as the various loose printed records and the more recent loose vouchers, receipts,
etc. However, the amount of these loose records is relatively little.
4.2.2.5 Fellowship, Membership, exams and related
The „Fellowship, Membership, exams and related‟ material again poses little problem
in the way of physical organisation. The material here consists of that which is
already in record groups and is subsequently organised appropriately, such as the
[117] boxes of Membership petitions, [1880‟s-1960‟s] (item 12 in the relevant section
of the College papers list in the appendix), and other singular items, such as the
Diploma in public health examiners book, 1879-1930 (item 16) and the Volume of old
papers set for various exams, [1883-92] (item 21), which will be catalogued
independently therefore requiring little in the way of physical organisation.
6
Many of these disciplinary records will need to be addressed regarding issues of Data Protection. See Chapter
6, Section 6.1.
19
4.2.2.6 Billets and related
The organisation of the „Billets and related‟ material should ideally be left until the
appraisal stage as most of these records will be duplicated elsewhere. Those that are
not should be extracted and relocated amongst the records of the office from which
they were issued or the subject to which they relate.
4.2.2.7 Laboratory and related
Within the „Laboratory and related‟ material record groups and types should be
identified and united. The correspondence of the Laboratory, for example, appears to
be largely spread out amongst the records. This should be brought together and
united. However, as the correspondence is quite diverse in nature, correspondent, and
subject it is unclear as to whether this will form a cohesive collection of
correspondence once it has been organised or whether it will merely present a number
of independent groups of correspondence. The Laboratory financial material is also
quite diverse in format and nature. It includes individual cashbooks, ledgers, abstract
books, account books, vouchers and other correspondence though these are generally
independent items and none of the material seems to form a cohesive group covering
a substantial time span. At present though the Laboratory financial material is
relatively well organised and related items are grouped together.
The main issue with regards the Laboratory papers is the array of unrelated and
discreet items spread amongst many of the boxes; such items as, for example, various
research papers, staff related material, vivisection licences, etc. These need to be
addressed individually and grouped where appropriate.
4.2.2.8 Committees and related
The „Committees and related‟ material should be grouped by committee of origin and
then arranged in chronological order.
4.2.2.9 Other material
The „College prizes, grants, bursaries, awards, etc. and related‟, „Events, lectures, and
symposia and related‟, and „Buildings, property, etc. and related‟ material is too
sparse and varied to offer recommendations on its physical arrangement.
4.2.3 Appraisal of the College records
There is certainly scope for a large-scale appraisal of the College records. The first
target for appraisal should be surplus duplicate material. Such material should be
identified and disposed of (unless there proves to be good reason for having more than
one copy of a record, e.g. if the items are exceedingly fragile and/or of substantial
historical interest). This could be done during the physical reorganisation of the
records as outlined above. A good deal of duplicate material has been identified
during this reporting project, mainly amongst the printed literature issued by the
College and amongst the minutes of the College.
20
Following the disposal of surplus duplicate material the archival value of all records
and record groups should be appraised. Records that are „incomplete‟ (e.g. blank
forms or blank entry books) should be disposed of assuming they offer no other
information. Records groups of which a sample would be just as useful and
informative as the whole group (for example large series of financial or statistical
material which cover a relatively short period of time) can often be successfully
consolidated into a smaller representative group thereby saving shelf space. Apart
from these examples there is, unfortunately, no general rule for the appraisal of
records and often each series, group or item must be assessed on its own merit. In
most cases, where records make up a larger record group or series (such as a
collection of correspondence or accounts books), the archival value of the records can
be appraised as a whole without recourse to an assessment of the individual items.
The following is an outline of some of the key areas and records groups, amongst the
College papers, which will most likely be liable to appraisal.
4.2.3.1 Minutes and related
One of the targets for likely appraisal is the „Minutes and related‟ material. There is
potential for some appraisal amongst the College minutes in particular due to the
various sets of copies. Essentially, all copies of minutes reproduced in the original
minute books can potentially be disposed of, leaving only the original volumes of
minutes (items 1 and 2 in the relevant section of the College papers list in the
appendix) for user consultation. However, the draft minutes should be examined first
to ensure that their content is largely the same as that of the Minute books themselves.
If it differs greatly then some or all should perhaps be kept for the additional insight
they provide into the College proceedings. The above is suggested bearing in mind
that the NLS also hold a typescript set of surrogate RCPE minute books (for the dates
1682-1861).
4.2.3.2 Correspondence, administration and related
There are many records amongst the „Correspondence, administration and related‟
material (including billets, printed reports, extracts of minutes, etc.) that are most
likely reproduced elsewhere and which can be extracted and disposed of. If any
correspondence is reproduced in the various „letter books‟ then depending on the
quality of the copy one or the other should be disposed of (assuming all the letters in a
letter book are reproduced in the loose correspondence).
4.2.3.3 Financial and related
In particular amongst the „Financial and related‟ material, the „abstracts of accounts‟
(mainly concentrated in item 11 in the relevant section of the College papers list in the
appendix) can be appraised. Any „abstracts of accounts‟ which are duplicated amongst
each other or are reproduced in the 2 bound volumes of „Abstracts of Accounts‟, 1900-
47 (item 12) can be disposed of. Any other printed reports, billets, etc. which are
reproduced elsewhere can be disposed of as well. It may be the case that some of the
larger series of financial material may be „sampled‟. However, this appears to be
unlikely.
21
4.2.3.4 Billets and related
The numerous „Billets and related‟ material will no doubt largely be reproduced
elsewhere. Only those that are not should be kept to be grouped under the office from
which they were issued or the subject to which they relate. The bound „scrapbooks‟ of
billets and other printed College material can most likely be disposed of. They should
only be kept if most of their content is deemed to be of some kind of historic value
and is not reproduced elsewhere.
4.2.3.5 Laboratory and related
Amongst the „Laboratory and related‟ material most of the Annual reports of the
Curator of the Laboratory (spread throughout the Laboratory material and some of
the other College material but largely concentrated in item 15 in the „Laboratory‟
section of the attached „List of College records‟) can certainly be disposed of to leave
only one set of reports. Furthermore, some of the record groups of financial material
can potentially be sampled. The 12 boxes of Laboratory „Accounts‟ (item 1) can
almost certainly be consolidated into a smaller representative group. These records are
quite large in physical extent but appear to cover only two years (1949-50). As this is
the case it is questionable as to whether a smaller sample of these records
demonstrating their content and informative value would not serve the purpose as well
as the entire group as it is.7
4.2.3.6 Committees and related
Numerous copies of many of the printed reports issued by committees have been kept
with the committee papers. Most of these can be disposed of. Other similar material is
also reproduced.
4.2.3.7Other material
There is no obvious scope for appraisal amongst the „Fellowship, Membership and
related‟ material. The „College prizes, grants, bursaries, awards, etc. and related‟,
„Events, lectures, and symposia and related‟, and „Buildings, property, etc. and
related‟ material is too sparse and varied to offer effective recommendations on
potential appraisal. The archival value of the records currently identified under these
headings will most likely have to be assessed on individual merit.
4.2.4 The storage conditions of the collection
As stated in Chapter 2 Section 2.3 it is largely the older College records – those listed
in the „Muniments List‟ – that are boxed in acid free boxes. With regards to the
remaining College material approximately half is boxed appropriately whilst the other
records are boxed in unsuitable boxes. There does not appear to be a pattern to the
way in which the material is boxed only that certain records and record groups are
7
For a description of these records see Section 4.1 above. As these records hold sensitive information on the
patients providing specimens for testing then, if they are to be disposed, these records, and any other similar
items, should be disposed of carefully and securely as confidential waste.
22
boxed in acid-free boxes whilst other ones aren‟t. A small number of records
(including many of the committee papers) are completely unpackaged. In addition to
this barely any of the folders dividing groups of material within boxes are of an
archival quality. All non-archival quality boxes and folders should be removed and
replaced with acid-free boxes and folders.
Further to this many of the individual College records are attached or bound together
with unsuitable and corrosive fastenings including rusting metal clips and staples and
decaying elastic bands. All metal fastenings, elastic bands and any other non-archival
materials should be removed and replaced with archival quality brass paper clips and
archival binding tape.
The situation of the storage conditions of the records should be addressed as soon as
all appraisal work has been carried out on the collection. This situation applies
generally to the whole collection of College papers and, therefore, no specific
recommendations can be made with regard to particular groups of records.
4.2.5 The creation of a hierarchical structure for the records
The creation of a hierarchical structure for the records represents a further significant
step towards making the College records fully usable and accessible. A potential
cataloguing structure needs to be investigated which is navigable and which
represents the administrative functions and departments of the College as fully as
possible. The aim should be to try to recreate the likely original order as closely as
possible. As stated previously in Chapter 3 Section 3.4 the archival principle of
provenance works alongside the principle of respect des fonds to ensure that the
intellectual arrangement of a collection of records can demonstrate how the records
relate to each other in an administrative sense and how the administrative functions of
the organisation as a whole were arranged and divided.
Within the College collection each clear series of records needs to be identified. As
defined by the International Standard on Archival Description (General) a series
constitutes:
Documents arranged in accordance with a filing system or maintained as a
unit because they result from the same accumulation or filing process, or the
same activity; have a particular form; or because of some other relationship
arising out of their creation, receipt, or use.8
At present some potential series identifiable amongst the collection include: College
Minutes, College Correspondence, Records of the Laboratory, and Records of College
Committees. These, however, are only suggestions and it may be deemed practical to
implement different series in order to better represent the provenance of the various
records and record groups.9 Another issue that may need to be addressed following
the identification of the various series is whether certain types of records should be
included in one particular series or another. For example, there are financial records
8
International Council on Archives, ISAD(G) or the General International Standard Archival Description, 2000
9
This is with the exception of the Laboratory series, which will certainly be required, as the Laboratory was a
very distinct and largely autonomous part of the College.
23
relating to the Laboratory in the general financial material of the College. However,
there is also financial material relating to the Laboratory amongst the Laboratory
papers. The question may be - which series should the material come under „College
financial records‟ or „records of the Laboratory‟. If such situations are presented
recourse may have to be made to the records in order to find out more about their
department or administrative function of origin. Failing this the records may need to
be located where they best compliment the surrounding records.
Once the series are identified and their contents clarified they will need to be arranged
in a hierarchical structure. Essentially, the cataloguing hierarchy should have at the
top those series of records most closely associated with the core functions of the
College, progressing down to the various, more detached and autonomous, functions
and administrative departments. For example, at the top would perhaps be the material
relating to the foundation of the College, its Charters and its Laws, followed by the
minutes of the meetings of the College and Council, followed by College
correspondence, followed by College financial records, followed by records of
Fellowship and Membership, followed by records of disciplinary action, followed by
records of College awards, bursaries, etc., followed by records of College buildings
and property, followed by records of College events, etc., followed by records of the
various College committees and joint-committees, followed by records of the Library,
and, finally, followed by records of the Laboratory. Once the series and hierarchical
structure are finalised collection and series level entries should be made on the
cataloguing system. Sub-series and item level descriptions will be entered upon
commencement of the full cataloguing of the collections.
4.3 Cataloguing of the College records
The cataloguing of the College records should be done to a recognised archival
standard such as ISAD(G). This will ensure that all relevant information required to
ensure user access and understanding of the collection is included and that the
structure and composition of the catalogue is of a comparable quality and content to
those of other institutions.
The catalogue will be composed of a number of levels and branches which together
will form a navigable hierarchy that suitably demonstrates the arrangement between
the various series, record groups and records. These levels will range from the
collection level to the series, sub-series, and item levels (with additional levels such as
sub-sub-series, etc. added where needed). The very top level will be the collection
level and this will present information on the collection as a whole including a
suitable administrative history of the College. Each series (as discussed above) should
represent a particular unit of records created for the same purpose or as part of the
same administrative function. These levels will again present information unique to
the records they contain. Sub-series levels are created for the further division and
grouping of related records within a series. Finally, item levels are created for
particular items or bundles of items where the cataloguing of individual items has
been deemed unnecessary in relation to the amount of work required (for example an
extensive series of loose correspondence). Due to the quantity of loose material
contained within the College collection (such as correspondence and financial
material) it would be advisable to bundle much of this into bundles of a certain
24
number of items and catalogue it accordingly with a summary of the contents of each
bundle.
4.4 Summary and likely timescales for required work
To summarise, the priorities to be addressed in order to turn the College records into a
usable resource and ensure their long term survival are:
the physical reorganisation of the records (making them usable in the sense
that individual items can be identified and located);
the large-scale appraisal of the material (consolidating the collection, thereby
making it easier to use and navigate, whilst preserving shelf space);
the storage conditions of the material (helping to ensure the long-term physical
preservation of the records);
and the creation of an effective hierarchical structure (organising the collection
and demonstrating its content and scope).
The assessment of how long this initial groundwork will take is a difficult one to
make due to the collections current disarray. The physical reorganisation of the
collection would certainly constitute the largest single task in this work, yet the extent
of the physical disarray is even now not fully apparent. However, it would be a
reasonable assessment to suggest that this initial work could be done within one year.
Following this initial organisational work the cataloguing of the collection would be
necessary in order to turn the College records into a resource to be utilised and
exploited. For this element of the project, assuming that the records have been fully
reorganised, appraised and structured, a timescale estimate of one year would again be
a reasonable assessment.
5 Deposited papers
The collections of deposited papers in the archive mostly consist of the papers of past
and present fellows and members of the College along with the records of bodies and
organisations connected with the College. Due to the College‟s esteemed place in
national and international medical society, its extensive list of notable past members
and fellows, and its numerous activities in connection with other bodies the archives
have become extremely rich and varied.
5.1 Overview of the deposited collections
The deposited papers present an extremely fruitful resource for researchers, one that is
only limited by its current lack of cataloguing and organisation. The collections
contain information on a great number of individuals, organisations, events and topics
connected with national and international medical history. The range of the collection
extends from the papers and correspondence of key medical figures of the Scottish
enlightenment to highly insightful modern administrative records.
The vast majority of the deposited collections of the College archive are made up of
papers that range in date, and in fairly equal measure, from the 18th Century to the
20th Century. In order to demonstrate the chronological span and diversity of the
25
collections we will look at particular collections dating from each of these three
centuries in turn.
5.1.1 18th Century collections
The College‟s 18th Century collections are extremely interesting in their uniqueness
and historical value.10 They include the papers of many of the most significant
enlightenment doctors. One collection of particular significance is that of the papers
of William Cullen, a doctor famed for his original teaching styles as much as for his
medical and scientific contributions. The Cullen papers (of which there are over two
metres) include a collection of correspondence as notable for its sheer extent as for its
unique and valuable historical insight. This correspondence includes Cullen‟s
consultation letters, which give a fascinating and unique insight into 18th Century
medical practice, along with letters received by him from his many notable
correspondents and associates including Adam Smith and Benjamin Franklin. Also
included are lecture notes written by Cullen, whilst, among the archives as a whole,
there are numerous volumes of notes taken by others on lectures given by Cullen.
The papers of Sir John Pringle are another significant resource. These papers,
bequeathed by Pringle upon his death, include an extensive collection of notebooks
and medical annotations along with a selection of pharmaceutical correspondence and
prescriptions.
Other significant collections of 18th Century deposited material include the papers of
Andrew Duncan (the elder) – papers which include 100 volumes of Duncan‟s
„Practical Observations in Medicine‟ – and a collection of lecture notes taken by
Alexander Monro.
Many of the most interesting and historically valuable records amongst the archive‟s
18th Century material are individual items that do not form part of a larger collection.
There are a number of highly valuable and unique volumes of academic notes and
lecture notes taken by students of medicine on lectures given by some of the most
significant physicians of the 18th Century. The teachings of William Cullen, Sir John
Pringle, Alexander Hamilton, and Alexander Monro (amongst many others) have
been recorded first hand. These records provide excellent material to study the
teaching styles of significant lecturers, the development of medical teaching in
general and, of course, the development of scientific medicine as a whole. Much other
academic related material has been preserved amongst these collections including
academic correspondence, class cards and awards. All of these records provide an
excellent picture of the College in the 18th Century as an esteemed institution of
teaching Fellows and one of the foundational bodies underpinning Edinburgh‟s
reputation as a centre of excellence for medical education.
On the whole the 18th Century deposited papers consist of a diverse array of discreet
collections from a wide variety of creators. Along with the more significant
collections are a great number of unique individual items of interest. Such items
include, for example, a journal of cases treated in the British Lying-In Hospital (1775-
10
Further details of most of the 18th Century records referred to here can be found in the Library „Manuscripts
Catalogue‟.
26
78). The 18th Century papers provide excellent and wide-ranging insight into
enlightenment medicine and the seeds of the scientific revolution that was to come.
5.1.2 19th Century collections
The 19th Century deposited material is made up of collections of various sizes many
of which document extensively the lives and careers of various prominent individuals
in the world of medicine. As with the 18th Century papers the array and diversity of
the 19th Century papers cannot be fully expressed by merely outlining and
pinpointing collections and items of significance. However, one thing that can be
emphasised is the sheer extent and depth of many of the collections of personal
papers. The achievements, work and life of such significant individuals as Richard
Poole and R. W. Philip, who were to deposit the better part of what was essentially
their life‟s accumulation and production of records, are documented extensively.
Whilst other, less extensive but equally insightful, collections of note include the
diaries of Sir Alexander Morison and a number of volumes of lecture notes written by
Sir James Young Simpson.
The increase in diverse medical and related societies and organisations coming into
existence during the 19th Century are well represented amongst the collections. Such
organisations as the Medical Provident Institution and the Society for the
Improvement of the Conditions of the Insane have their entire documentary heritage
preserved in the College archives. These represent an additional resource for the study
of particular medical subjects and the study of the development of the medical
profession as a whole.
The treatment of the mentally ill and the increase in the predominance of more
humane approaches taking place during the 19th Century is another of the particular
issues well documented amongst the collections of the College archive. Collections
such as those of Thomas Laycock, Richard Poole, Alexander Morison and, again, the
Society for the Improvement of the Conditions of the Insane provide extensive
documentation of mental health treatment and new approaches during the 19th
Century.
Much of the 19th Century deposited material is located amongst the 18th Century
papers in the Strongroom and includes many significant individual items and discreet
collections.11 Again, much of the most interesting and valuable material in this
category are the individual items and small groups of records that are not part of a
larger collection. A great deal of academic related material, including lecture notes,
notebooks, class cards, and diplomas and awards, is preserved. Again, the lecture
notes and notebooks present a significant historical resource on such topics as the
development of medical teaching and on the College as an academic institution in the
19th Century. Also to be found amongst the individual items in the Strongroom are a
few casebooks for certain hospitals including Edinburgh Royal Maternity Hospital,
Edinburgh General Lying-in Hospital, and Newcastle Borough Lunatic Asylum.
5.1.3 20th Century collections
11
Details of the 19th Century material located in the Strongroom and referred to here can be found in the Library
„Manuscripts Catalogue‟.
27
The 20th Century papers represent a very broad and largely untapped resource. The
largest amount of completely uninvestigated archival material falls into the category
of deposited 20th Century papers meaning that the potential significance of some of
the collections still remains unclear. What is clear, however, is the breadth and
diversity of subject matter.
Again many of the collections are extremely extensive in scale (in fact the largest
single collections outside of the College papers, including the papers of Prof John
Cash and Sir John Crofton fall within this grouping). Obviously, this is simply a
representation of the extensive output of administrative records in the twentieth
century in general rather than an indication that these collections have any more depth
and value than those earlier collections. However, as the field of medicine has become
broader and more specialised these collections offer insight into a much greater array
of specific issues. They also offer great insight into the significant social and cultural
changes taking place during the twentieth century for example those occurring as a
result of the two world wars.
As stated the increasing specialisation of medicine is greatly demonstrated throughout
the 20th Century collections. Personal papers increasingly come to focus on one or
two specialist subjects rather than medicine, per se, as a whole. This will no doubt add
somewhat to the scientific interest of many of the collections. Increasing
specialisation is also evident in the nature of the societies and other bodies with their
archives in the College. Increasingly specialist societies and bodies, such as the
Scottish Thoracic Society and the Society of Radiographers of Scotland, deposited
their collections in the College archives.
Until now the greatest emphasis has been placed upon the rich collection of 18th
Century manuscripts the College possesses along with much of the 19th Century
material. Such attention is clearly deserved and should be maintained as the vast
majority of the material in this category is unique, hugely significant and historically
valuable. However, what has not been exploited to any real extent is this abundance of
historically significant material amongst these collections with their origins in the
20th Century (much of which has at present been subject to very little investigation
whatsoever). Material relating to the world wars, for example, is extensive amongst
the collections of personal papers of individuals such as Lindsay Lamb and Edwin
Bramwell and amongst the papers of organisations such as the Scottish Medical
Services Emergency Committee (the potential research value of which is considered
in section 6.2 above). When such collections are considered alongside contemporary
records within the College papers a formidable array of material on the subject of
medicine and doctors during the world wars becomes apparent. Of course the 20th
Century material does not just relate to the world wars. Invaluable insight is given
into a range of issues and topics. The development of the NHS and early
investigations into national healthcare are highlighted by the committee papers of Sir
Norman Walker relating to the MacAlister report, 192012 and the MacKenzie report,
12
A Scheme of Medical Services for Scotland (MacAlister Report), was issued in 1920 advising that the
organisation of the Scottish health service should „be based upon the family as the normal unit, and on the
family doctor as the normal medical attendant and guardian.‟ The recommendations made by the MacAlister
Report were later adapted by the Report of the Committee on Scottish Health Services, 1936 (Cathcart Report) –
one of the most notable reports shaping the future National Health Service in Scotland.
28
192613. There are, of course, valuable resources in the archives which support
investigations into numerous aspects of the advancement of scientific medicine and its
application throughout the world.
What is certainly demonstrated upon investigation into the College archives is the
diversity and scope (both chronological and topical) of the collections. This is an issue
which deserves careful consideration in the preparation and planning of future
investigatory and cataloguing projects. In its deposited collections the College offers
valuable material relating to a broad range issues, events and individuals from the 18th
to the 20th centuries.
5.2 Recommendations
5.2.1 Initial recommendations
As with the College papers there are a couple of basic issues that should ideally be
addressed before the actual cataloguing of the deposited collections can begin. Firstly,
it would be highly advisable to carry out retrospective accessioning of the collections,
particularly those 20th Century collections that currently have no supporting
documentation to identify and locate them, in order to ensure that each collection has
a „fixed‟ and documented place in the archive. Secondly, in order to improve access to
the various deposited collections it would be practical to create fonds (collection)
level descriptions for each. This would bring full access to the archives collections a
step closer as, even if they were still not fully navigable and usable as a resource,
users would be able to identify the different collections the archive holds and the
variety and diversity of the archival collections would be apparent. Of course the
accessioning of undocumented collections is the only necessary issue to be addressed
and, depending on time, resources and the identification of cataloguing priorities
amongst the collections, the creation of fonds level descriptions for all of the
collections may be deemed unnecessary.
The cataloguing of deposited collections, as with the cataloguing of the College
papers looked at in the previous chapter, should be carried out to archival standards
and conditions such as those outlined by ISAD(G). Enough information should be
attached to collections, series and items as to make them fully usable, yet quick and
easy to browse and navigate.
5.2.2 Cataloguing of deposited collections
Once initial recommendations have been met the full cataloguing of the deposited
collections should be carried out following the archival descriptive standard ISAD(G)
(see Chapter 4 Section 4.3). The catalogue for each collection of deposited papers will
require a different hierarchical structure. This structure should represent as best as
13
The Hospital Services (Scotland) Committee was appointed under the Scottish Board of Health by a minute of
the 21st June 1924. Its remit was „To enquire into and report upon the extent and nature of the inadequacy of
the present hospital and ancillary services in Scotland...‟. The Report of the Hospital Services (Scotland)
Committee (Mackenzie Report) was issued in 1926.
29
possible the likely structure imposed on the records by the collection‟s originator (i.e.
the original order of the collection should be preserved as best as possible). Where
this is not possible or where there has been no useful original order the records should
be arranged in an order that most expresses the context and connections of the
records.
Recommendations for some of the particular collections will now be given. Again the
report will look at the collections dating from each of the three centuries, as outlined
above, in turn.
5.2.3 Recommendations for particular collections – 18th Century material
5.2.3.1 Organisation of the 18th Century material
Turning to the 18th Century deposited papers, the majority of these are located
amongst the collection of 18th and 19th Century (mostly bound) manuscripts in the
Strongroom (B1\Se1\Sh1 – B3\Se2\Sh2 and B4\Se2\Sh4). This collection is mostly
listed in the Library‟s „Manuscripts Catalogue‟ in alphabetical order and largely by
author. The physical arrangement of these records is generally representative of the
arrangement of the records in the „Manuscripts Catalogue‟.
With regards to these particular collections, one issue that needs to be addressed is
that of collections divisions. In some cases the basic principle of respect des fonds is
not rigidly enforced. This is particularly true in relation to lecture notes, which are
generally listed under the name of the lecturer rather than the author. This has clearly
been done in such a way so as to make identification of notes on lectures given by
significant individuals easier. However, it creates an issue with regards the principle
of respect des fonds in that, not only is the originator of the record not accounted for
in the fonds level of the catalogue, but the collection into which the record is then
added is affected, altering its integrity and composition as an entire collection.
Furthermore the confusing situation of whether the lecturer or author is more
historically significant can also arise where the author of the lecture notes is deemed
to be of an equal or greater historical significance to the lecture. This has led (in a
small number of cases) to item entries being duplicated between collections or entries
of similar records (such as a series of lecture note books) being divided between
collections. With the introduction of an electronic catalogue such records could be
catalogued under their author with the name of the subject or lecturer in the title field.
With this information given in the catalogue entry the record would be locatable
searching by subject, lecturer or author.
Other than this the 18th Century material is in no real disarray. The collections are
largely identifiable and the physical arrangement of material is well organised.
Once any arrangement issues have been addressed and the various collections are
fully identified and distinguished the cataloguing of these papers can begin. The
30
„Manuscripts Catalogue‟ may be a useful reference during this process for the
identification of records.
5.2.3.2 Cataloguing of the Pringle and Cullen collections
Of course those significant collections such as the Pringle papers and Cullen papers
will most likely take priority in the cataloguing process over the mass of discreet
collections. These particular collections (particularly the Cullen collection) consist of
a good deal of correspondence. To catalogue this to individual item level would be a
very considerable project in itself. The aim for these collections should initially,
therefore, be to catalogue them to a usable extent. Summaries should be provided for
the various series of records within these collections and series of loose material (such
as correspondence) should be bundled together to make a smaller number of
individual items for cataloguing. For example letters should be bundled into similar
size bundles in a chronological order; the item level description for these bundles
would then be something along the lines of „Letters, dated [date] to [date]‟ with a
brief description of the overall content of each bundle.
To get these particular collections to an accessible and usable level of cataloguing it
would take approximately three months.
It has been noted that one of the main difficulties of fully utilising the Cullen and
Pringle correspondence in particular is that of cross-referencing letters and following
a particular communication through its course. As the papers represent such a
valuable historical asset it may at some point be deemed worthwhile to create a
separate catalogue for these collections that is designed in a way to combat this
difficulty. For example if all letters were catalogued individually on an electronic
catalogue then the resulting catalogue could be investigated in order to provide ways
in which the letters could be cross-referenced and explored (for example by giving the
option to sort by correspondence, or keyword along with just the date). However, the
time and resources required to fully undertake such a project may mean it would have
to be investigated independently, separate from the larger task of improving the
access and usability of the College archive as a whole.
5.2.3.3 Cataloguing of the other 18th Century collections
Of course there are a good number of other collections of significance amongst the
18th Century papers. The Andrew Duncan collection is another example of an
extensive and significant collection. However, as stated previously many of the most
significant and interesting records amongst the 18th Century material are individual
volumes and small groups of records which do not form part of a larger collection.
The various notebooks and volumes of lecture notes, in particular, are of prime
historical significance for the insight they give into the work of many of the more
significant physicians of the 18th Century. They are also of interest as a resource for
the study of such things as the development of scientific medicine and the teaching of
medicine.
Each discreet collection, whether it consists of many records or just one volume, will
require a fonds level entry in the archive catalogue with the relevant collection level
information. The extent and depth of collection level information should be in relation
31
to the extent and depth of the collection. Fortunately, the majority of the 18th Century
manuscripts are preserved in bound volumes meaning that their identification and
cataloguing will be a comparatively straightforward process. However, the issue of
respect des fonds does need to be addressed and for many of the documents recourse
may have to be made to the records in order to identify the author. In the eventually
that an author or originator is not identifiable then the item should be catalogued
under „unknown author‟ (or similar) with the subject of the record (for example, if
lecture notes, the name of the lecturer and the subject of the lecture) and all other
relevant information such as date.
As the 18th Century material is largely made up of individual items and small
collections it would prove most practical to undertake one project to organise and
catalogue this material together (with perhaps the exception of the Pringle and Cullen
collections). The cataloguing of the various 18th Century manuscripts located in the
Strongroom (not including the Cullen and Pringle papers) should take approximately
four to five months.
5.2.4 Recommendations for particular collections – 19th Century material
5.2.4.1 The catalogued 19th Century collections
With regard to the 19th Century papers the majority of the larger collections of these,
stored in the Archives Store, are already catalogued to a reasonable depth and extent.
Cataloguing was carried out by the former archivist during the 1990‟s on many of the
notable deposited collections dating from around the 19th Century. Collections such as
that of The Society for the Improvement of the Conditions of the Insane, R. W. Philip,
Thomas Laycock, Richard Poole, and James Foulis are catalogued to item level and
have a suitable structure which aids navigation.14 For example, the Richard Poole
collection catalogue is arranged under four main headings – „Correspondence‟,
„Subject Files‟, „Writings of RP‟, and „Writings of others‟. Under these headings most
of the material is organised by subject rather than by type. This presents a relatively
navigable structure and, according to the existing catalogue, „Poole‟s own
organisation of his papers has been retained‟.15 This means that the original order has
been preserved and, judging by the collection descriptions provided in many of the
catalogues, the original order has been maintained or sought as near as possible in the
arrangement of most of these collections.
The catalogues in their current condition are, however, not of a sufficient structure
and arrangement (in terms of archival standard) to transfer directly to a catalogue of
archival standard. Generally the headings provided in the catalogues, under which the
items are split, represent potential series level entries. However, further information
will be needed in order to turn these headings into series level catalogue entries. For
example, a series level descriptive entry, the inclusive date range of the records in the
series, and the physical extent of the series. This will be required also for the sub-
headings for their conversion to sub series level entries.
14
These catalogues are available in hard copy in the Library.
15
See Richard Poole Collection (catalogue by Joy Pitman), „Summary‟, (p. 1).
32
The names of many of the headings may need to be changed in order to give a more
accurate reflection of their content and serve as a series level entry. For, example
rather than „Subject Files (TB)‟ – as in the R. W. Philip collection – „Papers produced
and collected by R. W. Philip on Tuberculosis‟ would provide a clearer representation
of content. Furthermore, many of the headings are extremely vague. For example, a
heading that occurs frequently in the catalogues for the collections of personal papers
is „Subject Files – Biographical‟. This is generally personal material that does not
relate to a specific topic and largely includes diplomas, some personal
correspondence, photographs, and other general items not related to a specific
professional issue. Such a heading does not give the user any information and would
serve no use as a records series. If the records under such a vague heading as this are
connected in some way (i.e. form a particular series) then the series should be
renamed to convey what these records actually are. For example, if there is a heading
„Subject Files – Biographical‟ under which there are only diplomas then the series
should be called „Diplomas‟. Otherwise, the records should be split into their various
types (e.g. photos, diplomas, newspaper cuttings, etc.) - assuming there is no other
feature that unifies them and would warrant the creation of a series to encompass
them all. Following this each of the record types should have a series created for it
unless it can be placed well in another existing series. A series should be created for
each record type even if there is only one such record. This is because if a record is
placed under a vague coverall series such as „Biographical material‟ or if it is inserted
into a series with unrelated records it may well be untraceable. Each level of the
catalogue should, in its title and description, give a clear indication of the content
below.
On the whole the catalogues will need to be examined and it should be identified
which parts of the structure and description can be transferred to an archival quality
catalogue based on the provisions of ISAD(G). Clearly much of the structure will be
transferable, though series and sub-series levels will need to be clarified and the
nature of the records under these made fully apparent in the series and sub-series level
entries.
There is also a good deal of information missing from all levels which is required by
ISAD(G). Date ranges should be given for each level from the overall collection level
to each series and sub-series. Generally, items have already been dated. For those few
that haven‟t only as much time as deemed worthwhile should be spent on identifying
dates (as it may well be the case that the dates of such records aren‟t traceable).
A piece of information which is entirely missing is that of the physical extent of each
collection, series, sub-series and item. This is very important information to include in
a catalogue as it gives users an indication of how long it might take to explore and
investigate a collection, series or item. It also contributes to the security of the
collections as it keeps a record of extent and can potentially give an indication if
material goes missing. Information on the physical extent of every level of each
collection catalogue should be gathered and included in the archival catalogue.
Finally, as already stated descriptive information for each series should be included,
where relevant, to give users an indication of the content of the series. Furthermore, a
biographical history and a separate content overview should be provided for each
33
collection in order to provide information to users on the background of each
collection along with a summary of the content. Included with many of the existing
catalogues are essay style pieces (of around 2,000 – 4,000 words in length) written on
the collections originator and the collection content. These are useful for the in depth
information they provide on the originator though they are not concise enough for the
purposes of an archival catalogue. The biographical history for the collection level
entries should be concise enough to enable users to identify the originator and to gain
a brief overview of the key facts in connection with the originator (i.e. no more than
around 400 words). A separate collection overview should also be provided to give a
good concise summary of the various records held in the collection.
The existence of these collection catalogues presents the opportunity to add many of
the large, historically significant collections of deposited papers to the central archival
catalogue at the cost of relatively little resources and time. This would, thereby, make
these collections a good deal more accessible and would contribute to the overall level
of cataloguing of the College archive. As outlined in the previous chapter collections
such as that of Thomas Laycock, Richard Poole and R. W. Philip contain potentially
valuable information on not only these individuals but on the history of specific
medical issues (for example Laycock and Poole‟s collections contain much insightful
information on the history of mental illness whilst Philip‟s collection contains a range
of records on Tuberculosis). These collections represent some of the most insightful
and valuable in the College archive. To build on the work of the former archivist and
bring the cataloguing of these collections to an archival standard would mean
ensuring complete access to many of the archive‟s most valuable resources.
It would most likely take around four to five months to catalogue these collections to
an archival standard based upon the existing catalogues.
5.2.4.2 Other 19th Century collections
The other 19th Century papers are split between the Archives Store and the
Strongroom. There are some smaller collections located in the Archives Store. These
include the collection of the Medical Provident Institution and the papers of Andrew
and David Craigie (though this collection is currently split between the Strongroom
and the Archives Store – the items found in the Strongroom are listed in the
„Manuscripts Catalogue‟). The collection of the Medical Provident Institution is of a
very small size and should take only a week to catalogue. It consists only of two
bound volumes (a list of contents accompanies these) and two boxes of material
(which is partially listed with College papers in the „Muniments Inventory‟). The
Andrew and David Craigie collection is again relatively small but the disorganisation
of the box of records in the Archives Store will mean it may take nearer two weeks to
catalogue.
The remaining 19th Century deposited collections are located amongst the 18th and
19th Century manuscripts in the Strongroom. The initial organisation of these should
follow the same lines as the 18th Century papers above. Again, some work may have
to be conducted to arrange and organise lecture notes by author rather than lecturer.
Amongst the 19th Century papers in the Strongroom are a number of significant
collections and items including a collection of lecture notes and notebooks of Sir
34
James Young Simpson and the diaries of Alexander Morison. As with the 18th
Century collections, the most interesting records from the 19th Century material in the
Strongroom are individual items which do not form part of a larger collection.
Included again are numerous volumes of lecture notes and notebooks related to
medical teaching. There are also a number of unique casebooks for certain hospitals.
Again, each discreet collection will require a fonds level entry with sufficient
information to identify the collection and its contents. Also, as these papers are
largely made up of individual items and small collections, it would most likely prove
practical to undertake one project to organise and catalogue these records all together.
The cataloguing of the various 19th Century collections located in the Strongroom
should take approximately three to four months.
5.2.5 Recommendations for particular collections – 20th Century material
5.2.5.1 The as yet uninvestigated and unorganised 20th Century collections
The twentieth century papers are those in need of the most extensive investigation
prior to cataloguing. The only collection of 20th Century papers that has been fully
investigated is the Sydney A Smith collection, which is catalogued to a similar degree
as the majority of the 19th Century collections.16 Many of the more recent collections
are completely uninvestigated and undocumented. The recently deposited papers of
Prof. John Anderson Strong and Prof. John Cash are completely uninvestigated and
are still stored in the large storage boxes in which they were deposited. The
collections are very extensive and seemingly quite broad in their content. However,
they have never been investigated since their deposit and have absolutely no
supporting documentation. Other such collections of considerable size are that of Sir
John Crofton and Dr William A. Alexander. These two collections have been
investigated to a very limited degree as part of this reporting project and summaries
are given in Appendix 8.4. However, this appears to have been the first time they have
been investigated.
Another extensive, and distinctive, uninvestigated collection is that of Dr J. D.
Cameron. The extent of this collection is 50 boxes, though its contents consist solely
of case notes from Cameron‟s private practice.17 The records are in alphabetical order
by patient name but there seems to have been little much else done with them.
5.2.5.2 The partially investigated and organised 20th Century collections
There are a number of collections which, though having had little investigation, have
been at some point reboxed into acid-free boxes which, in turn, have been labeled
with a very loose summary of contents. Such collections include that of Dr Lindsay
Lamb, Dr Rae Gilchrist18, Dr John B. Wilson, Dr Helen Russell, the Scottish Thoracic
16
The catalogue is with the other similar catalogues in the Library
17
The sensitive nature of the content of these records means that this collection will need to be addressed with
regards to Data Protection. See Chapter 6, Section 6.2.
18
The sensitive nature of the content of many of these records means that this collection will need to be
addressed with regards to Data Protection. See Chapter 6, Section 6.2.
35
Society, the Society of Radiographers of Scotland, Dr Haldane Tait and Dr R. H.
Girdwood. Many of these collections contain within the boxes some kind of brief
index list outlining their contents. These collections have much historically valuable
content. That of Dr Lindsay Lamb, for example, contains a very interesting war diary
giving insight into the RAMC and the evacuation of Crete during the Second World
War. As a further example, the Helen Russell collection contains insightful
information on Carl Jung (as prepared for a publication by Russell) along with a letter
from Jung.
A collection of particular significance identified during this reporting project is that of
the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee (as outlined above). This is of
great potential interest for the sheer scale of the information and data it presents on
Scottish doctors during the Great War. This fairly extensive collection (approximately
4 metres) seems to have maintained some of its original order, as far as the various
record types have been kept separate from each other (as the Committee was based in
the College the collection has never been moved from the building since the creation
of the records). It is packaged in non-archival paper packages with labels providing a
loose indication of the contents of each. This collection has been investigated
somewhat as part of this report and summary of the contents can be found in the
appendix. Prior to this, however, there has been little or no investigation carried out
into this collection.
5.2.5.3 Overall recommendations for the 20th Century collections
The immediate priority for all of these uninvestigated and partially investigated
collections will be the simple accessioning of the material and the provision of a brief
overview of its content. The accession record of each collection should contain all
relevant information such as extent, media type, overview of contents, dates, etc. (as
demonstrated by the example form included in Appendix 8.5). Details of the depositor
and date of deposit should be sought where possible particularly for the collections of
personal papers. This information may possibly be found in the Library Minutes or
those of the College Meetings where deposits have been recorded. It is necessary that
accessioning is done in order that these collections are traceable and locatable within
the College archive. The accessioning of all of these collections should take
approximately one month.
The timescale for the cataloguing of these substantial collections is, however, harder
to gauge. The sheer extent and unknown content of many of the collections means
that cataloguing could be a relatively straightforward process or a complicated one.
Judging by the appearance of the content and the extent of the collections it would be
fairly safe to assume that the cataloguing of all of the 20th Century papers would most
likely take over a year.
The historically significant collection of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency
Committee should certainly be prioritised due to its insightful nature and potential
usefulness as a resource. This collection should take no longer than three months to
catalogue.
36
The Sydney A. Smith collection, which is currently catalogued to a relatively useful
extent, will take approximately two to three weeks to transfer to an archival quality
catalogue.
Those smaller collections with some degree of investigation already carried out may
perhaps be best prioritised over the remaining collections as these can be made
accessible and navigable in a much shorter space of time than those larger collections
which are absolutely uninvestigated. These collections should take approximately
seven to ten months to catalogue.
The recently deposited collections which have had little investigation and are
relatively extensive in scale (such as the Strong papers, Cash papers, Crofton papers
and Alexander papers) will most likely take over six months to catalogue. However,
the time required may be substantially more or substantially less than this and a more
accurate estimate of timescale should be decided following the accessioning of the
collections, as the accession will give a better understanding of their scope and
content.
As with all other collections the cataloguing of the 20th Century collections should be
done according to the standards of ISAD(G) ensuring that the collection is outlined
with enough information whilst being highly navigable and usable. During
cataloguing, all material that is not currently stored within acid free boxes and folders
should be reboxed. Furthermore, all metal clips and bindings (such as staples, pins
and paper clips) should be removed and replaced with archival quality brass paper
clips.
It is unlikely that any appraisal of collections will be required. If an opportunity to
dispose of duplicate or unnecessary material arises it must first be absolutely verified
that the collection in question is a gift and that the depositor has no objection to the
disposal of surplus material. Until this can be validated no appraisal should be carried
out.
6 Other issues
6.1 Records management of recent and current College records
6.1.1 The reasons for a cut-off date for the survey of the historical records
As stated in chapter 4 a cut-off date of 1960 has been applied to the College records
whereby only records dated before this will be considered in the recommendations of
this report. It is recommended that those dated after 1960 should be considered along
with current records in the creation of some form of records management system. The
37
reasons for this are many. Firstly, the backlog of historical records needing to be
catalogued is already of a substantial amount without taking into account the masses
of records created in the latter half of the twentieth century. Secondly, it would be
relatively futile to attempt to organise and catalogue the more recent papers without
also addressing the management of current records coming into the archive, as the
accumulation of these current records would, in no time, present a brand new
problem. Thirdly, judging by the more recent records there appears to have been new
methods of filing and arrangement introduced around the late 1950‟s and 60‟s
onwards. This filing arrangement in which the majority of records created after 1960
are organised is fairly uniform and would be easiest dealt with as a whole.
6.1.2 The necessity of introducing a records management system
The introduction of a records management system designed to monitor and organise
all College records coming into the archive would ensure that the College records
remain organised and usable in the future with minimal need for such retrospective
cataloguing and organisation as that currently required for the historical records. A
records management system in this particular context is essentially a system designed
to control the inflow of current records into the historical archive. The types of
records transmitted to the archive are controlled along with the retention periods for
those records only required for short periods (usually kept to satisfy recordkeeping
legislation and corporate requirements). Each record transmitted to the archive
through the records management system can instantly be placed in the relevant series
or record group thereby ensuring a smooth transition from current organisational
record to historical resource.
6.1.3 Establishing a records management system
The establishment of an effective records management system for the RCPE would
require a great deal of investigation into the structure of the organisation and the
records being created by the various branches and departments. Decisions would have
to be made as to which types of records warrant long-term preservation. Whilst for
other types of records it would have to be decided how long it would be necessary or
useful for them to be kept (taking into account recordkeeping legislation and the
requirements of the College itself in relation to this). An appropriate records retention
schedule would need to be drawn up following this, outlining the periods of time the
various types of records commonly created through College business should be
preserved. Some will be preserved indefinitely whilst others may be disposed of as
soon as their business purpose has been served.
Currently, the types of records being transferred to the archive following their
creation and use varies over time and between departments. The key elements behind
the most effective records management systems are a regulated control over the types
of records transferred to the archive and, most importantly, effective communication
between the various departments of the organisation and those responsible for
maintaining the records. Staff should be made aware as to which types of records are
to be transferred to the archive and the correct procedure for transferring records.
6.1.4 Example of the RCPSG
38
A useful model for records management in a similar institution is that presented by
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. In this institution the
management of the transfer of current records to the archive is undertaken by the
archivist. Records coming into the archive, depending upon their type, are either
maintained for long-term preservation in the archive or are transferred to offsite
storage to be kept for a definite timescale as dictated by the records management
retention schedule. This system ensures that the records of the College are monitored
throughout their life cycle (from creation, to retention and to archive) by the same
department.
6.1.5 Summary
If the RCPE were to introduce such a records management system it would not only
improve the organisation of and access to current information and records but also
ensure that the College‟s heritage is preserved and is maintained in a usable state. It is
certainly essential for such a system to be introduced if a further investigation and
survey of the archive is to be avoided in the future.
Once the College has addressed the transfer of current records to the archive the
records created since 1960 can be organised and catalogued following either the
existing arrangement of the historical College records or the arrangement of the
records management system.
6.2 Data protection19
6.2.1 Data protection in general
Due to the fact that many of the records held in the College archive contain sensitive
information regarding patients, physicians, staff of the College and staff of other
organisations general restrictions will need to be imposed accordingly in order to
ensure this information is protected from misuse.
Issues regarding data protection are generally dealt with under the Data Protection
Act, 1998. This act provides for the protection of information which can be used to
identify a living individual. This would include such information as names, addresses,
birthdates, telephone numbers, employment history, medical history, etc. Obviously
the highly sensitive nature of the information found in many types of medical records
warrants extremely strict and cautious protection. In relation to the preservation of
19
Much of the information in this section has been drawn from the Lothian Health Services Archive‟s, „Access
Restrictions for LHSA Records‟.
39
personal information the Data Protection Act states that records of living individuals
should be closed access for 100 year from the date of creation of the record.
6.2.2 Other issues and exceptions to the rule
There are, however, other issues which would need to be addressed for a repository
such as the RCPE archive. The archive contains extensive medical records which may
be of particular interest to the academic community and those individuals whose
information appears in the records. Looking to the access restrictions of a similar
repository, namely the Lothian Health Services Archive, it is clear to see that various
regulations and legislation must be considered in order to protect and manage
sensitive information appropriately. The guidelines followed by the LHSA would be
applicable to the RCPE. The LHSA access restrictions are based around the principals
of three particular sets of legislation: the UK Data Protection Act 1998, the NHS
Records Management Code of Practice, and the Freedom of Information Act
(Scotland) 2002. For personal data in general the repository follows the provisions of
the Data Protection Act and ensures closed access for 100 years following the date of
creation of the record. However, there are a number of exceptions to this rule.
Firstly, access to one‟s own records is permitted under the Data Protection and
Freedom of Information acts. In the case of the LHSA access can be granted upon
application in which the individual will be required to provide sufficient proof of
identity. Any person wishing to examine records containing information relating to
someone other than themselves can only do so if they have verifiable permission from
the individual whose information it is. The LHSA then has a maximum of 40 days to
respond to the request as stated by the Freedom of Information Act.
Secondly, under the Data Protection Act access to otherwise restricted material can be
granted for academic research. Due to the variety and wealth of material held in the
RCPE archive it is likely that much material held under access restrictions will be of
potential interest to academic researchers. It would also clearly be in the interests of
the archive to promote the use of such material and this can be provided under the
existing legislation. However, the access to and use of the records must 'not support
measures or decisions with respect to any particular data subject' and must not cause
or be likely to cause 'substantial damage or substantial distress to the data subject or
any other person'. At the LHSA such access is, again, based upon application. The
application is made conjointly, between LHSA archive staff wishing to allow access
and the researcher who wishes to utilise the records, and is submitted to the NHS
Lothian Director of Public Health. For the RCPE, however, such decisions will need
to be made by the repository and the relevant College departments. Assuming that
access is granted the researcher must sign an undertaking that they will not disclose to
any parties any personal information which they learn from these records, or publish
any personal identifiers.
Lastly, access to the records of a deceased individual is regulated, in the case of the
LHSA, by the NHS Records Management Code of Practice. This states that records of
a deceased individual are closed for 75 years from the last recorded entry (100 if they
were a minor at the last recorded entry). However, access can be applied for if the
individual‟s death certificate can be produced.
40
6.2.3 Sensitive records
Examples of some of the record groups containing sensitive information, as identified
by this report, include:
Laboratory „accounts‟: These forms, which accompanied specimens sent to
the Laboratory, contain extremely sensitive information on the patient
providing the specimen. The forms generally include patient names, addresses,
and often extensive information on the nature of the patient‟s condition and
treatment. These records are largely dated between 1949 and 1950.
Disciplinary cases: These cases vary in the type of files and the extent of
information they contain. In general, though, they contain detailed information
on the professional history of individuals and particularly professional
misdemeanours, the release of which could be potentially damaging.
JDS Cameron case notes collection: The JDS Cameron collection consists
solely of case notes from Cameron‟s private practice. Medical case notes
obviously contain much sensitive information on the medical history and
personal details of the patient concerned. These are largely dated between
1930‟s and 1960‟s.
Material in the Gilchrist collection: The Rae Gilchrist collection contains
potentially sensitive material including many of Gilchrist‟s case notes from
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Again, these contain much sensitive information
on patients. The case notes are largely dated between the 1920‟s and the
1960‟s.
Fellowship, membership and examinations material: personal information on
examination, fellowship and membership candidates may be subject to the
relevant data protection laws.
Note: The list above is far from inclusive and the information contained in
many other records and series will likely require protection. The data
protection laws apply to any relevant information even if the inclusion of this
information in a particular record is incidental and unconnected to the main
content. For example, within the Edwin Bramwell collection it has been noted
that at least two or three pages of the volumes have been written on the back
of patient case notes. Depending on the dates of the information these pages
may subsequently need to be withheld from public viewing or censored in
some way to make the use of main information possible.
6.3 Artefacts and objects
As identified by this report many artefacts and objects are included amongst the
deposited collections of the College archive. As the requirements for care, description
and user access for these items will differ greatly from those of the written records
these items should, wherever possible, be extracted and shelved separately. Their
intellectual arrangement should also be separate from that of the written records
41
though most of the archival cataloguing software currently available allows for the
creation of a separate catalogue for physical artefacts.
As demonstrated by other institutions such as the Royal College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Glasgow and the Lothian Health Services Archive physical artefacts can
well be maintained alongside written records by an archival repository. For example,
the physical artefacts maintained by the archive of the RCPSG are catalogued
alongside the written records though under a separate structure. This means that both
are searchable simultaneously and the artefacts can be cross-referenced to the records
(and vice versa).
A small collection of physical artefacts maintained in an archive can often add a
depth of insight into related written records. They also provide for variation in
exhibitions and displays.
7 Conclusion
From the investigation carried out in aid of this report it is evident that access to the
College archive is at present severely limited by a lack of arrangement and supporting
information for the collections. The records of the College appear to be in the most
unusable state being neither catalogued to any useful degree nor physically organised
in such a way as to make the identification and location of specific material at all
possible. The task of rearranging, organising and cataloguing these papers will be a
significant one demanding a great deal of time and resources. It may therefore be
advisable to focus on the physical reorganisation and top level cataloguing initially in
order to make the collection usable before investing in the creation of a full catalogue.
The numerous deposited collections are in varying states of organisation and
cataloguing (though generally better than that of the College papers). The priorities
for organisation among these collections would obviously depend mainly on their
perceived historical value and potential for research. However, what is clear is that
certain collections will demand a great deal more time and resources to organise and
catalogue than others, due to the variations in extent and the variations in current
levels of investigation. In general it is the 20th Century papers that present the most
significant challenge as these have, on the whole, been subject to very little prior
investigation. The various 18th Century papers present a relatively straightforward
challenge as their arrangement is, at present manageable, and their physical extent is
by far the least of the deposited collections. The conversion of the existing catalogues
of 19th Century collections to an archival standard offers the opportunity for quick
returns on a cataloguing project.
The reorganisation of the RCPE archive will obviously take a number of years and
will therefore be required to be done in various stages and discreet projects. Initial
42
projects for the organisation of the College papers will need to address the collection
as a whole as their current state of disorganisation does not lend itself to investigation
and organisation of particular series and records groups. Once the entire collection of
College papers has been reorganised cataloguing of the various series can be
prioritised separately. With regards to deposited collections it would be advisable to
target particular groups of related collections – specifically, for example, the 19th
Century catalogued collections or the 18th Century discreet collections – as similar
cataloguing processes will be applicable amongst these collections. What should be
borne in mind when prioritising projects is the breadth of the College archive and the
wealth of previously uninvestigated and unexploited material.
8 Appendix
8.1 Appendix 1: Table showing the contents of the Archives Store along with the
locations of the various collections
Archives Store
Bay 1
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings, Minutes of
Council Meetings
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Draft Minutes of College Meetings, Minutes of
Council Meetings, Correspondence
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - College Correspondence
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - College Correspondence
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - College Correspondence
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence, Disciplinary Actions
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Financial Records
43
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Financial Records
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Financial Records, Membership/Examination
Records
Bay 2
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Membership/Examination Records
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Membership/Examination Records, Records of
Awards/Bursaries, College Billets
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Records Relating to Events
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Records Relating to Events (Tercentenary), Records
Relating to Buildings
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Records Relating to Events (Tercentenary), Records
Relating to Buildings
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Records
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Records
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Records
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Records
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Records, Library Records
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Library Records
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Library Records
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Library Records
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Library Records
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Library Records
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Library Records
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Committee Papers
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Committee Papers
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Committee Papers
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Bay 3
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous Collage Material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous College Material
Shelf 3 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 4 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 5 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Section 3
Shelf 1 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 2 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 3 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 4 Records of the Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Shelf 5 Records of the Scottish Thoracic Society
Section 4
Shelf 1 Records of the Society for Improving the Conditions of the Insane,
Records of the Scottish Radiographers Society
Shelf 2 Records of the Medical Providential Institution, Records of the
Biomedical Laboratory at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Papers of
44
Sydney A Smith
Shelf 3 Papers of Sydney A Smith
Shelf 4 Papers of Sydney A Smith
Shelf 5 Papers of Sydney A Smith
Bay 4
Section 1
Shelf 1 Papers of Sydney A Smith, papers of Richard Poole
Shelf 2 Papers of Richard Poole, Papers of John Abercrombie
Shelf 3 Papers of John Abercrombie, Papers of Thomas Laycock
Shelf 4 Papers of Thomas Laycock
Shelf 5 Papers of W P Alison
Section 2
Shelf 1 Papers of W P Alison
Shelf 2 Papers of W P Alison, Papers of James Foulis
Shelf 3 Papers of R W Philip
Shelf 4 Papers of H P Tait
Shelf 5 Papers of H P Tait
Section 3
Shelf 1 Papers of H P Tait
Shelf 2 Papers of Alexander Hamilton
Shelf 3 Papers of Alexander Hamilton
Shelf 4 Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Papers of J D Comrie, Papers of A
Blackhall Morison
Shelf 5 Papers of A Blackhall Morison, Papers of Rae Gilchrist
Section 4
Shelf 1 Papers of Rae Gilchrist
Shelf 2 Papers of Rae Gilchrist, Papers of Lindsay Lamb
Shelf 3 Papers of K Mahadeva, Papers of the Boswell Family, Papers of
Andrew and David Craigie, Papers of the Hamilton Family, Papers of
Charles Stuart, Papers of John B Wilson, Papers of Helen Russell,
Papers of Dr Girdwood
Shelf 4 Papers of Prof R Stockman, Papers of James W Dawson
Shelf 5 Papers of D M Moir, Papers of Alexander Goodall, Papers of William
Wood
Bay 5
Section 1
Shelf 1 Papers of D Bird, Papers of W S Craig
Shelf 2 Papers of W S Craig
Shelf 3 Papers of W S Craig
Shelf 4 Papers of P H Brown, Papers of R G Paley, Papers of [unidentified]
Shelf 5 Papers of R G Paley, Papers of [unidentified]
Section 2
Shelf 1 Medical slides of Byrom Bramwell, Papers of Edwin Bramwell
Shelf 2 Papers of Norman Walker
Shelf 3 Papers of John Crofton
Shelf 4 Papers of Prof Strong
Shelf 5 Papers of Prof Strong
Section 3
Shelf 1 Papers of Prof Strong
Shelf 2 Papers of Prof Strong
Shelf 3 Papers of W A Alexander
Shelf 4 Papers of W A Alexander, Papers of John Blair
Shelf 5 Papers of John F Munro
45
Section 4
Shelf 1 Papers of Guthrie, Papers of [unidentified - poss. H P Tait]
Shelf 2 Misc papers of [various unidentified], Papers of J W Ballantyne,
Papers of John Fraser
Shelf 3 Miscellaneous unidentified material
Shelf 4 Miscellaneous unidentified material
Shelf 5 Miscellaneous unidentified material
Bay 6
Section 1
Shelf 1 Papers of Dr Eastwood
Shelf 2 Papers of [various unidentified]
Shelf 3 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 4 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 5 Papers of Prof Cash
Section 2
Shelf 1 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 2 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 3 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 4 Papers of Prof Cash
Shelf 5 Papers of J D S Cameron
Section 3
Shelf 1 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 2 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 3 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 4 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 5 Papers of J D S Cameron
Section 4
Shelf 1 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 2 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 3 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 4 Papers of J D S Cameron
Shelf 5 Empty
Bay 7
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
46
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Bay 8
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 2
Diplomas various
Shelf 3
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Fellowship and Membership material
Bay 9
Section 1
Shelf 1 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 2 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 3 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 4 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 5 Miscellaneous Material
Section 2
Shelf 1 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 2 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 3 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 4 Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 5 Miscellaneous Material
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 3 Books
Shelf 4 Books
Shelf 5 Books
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Bay 10
47
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's)
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - College Correspondence (post 1970's), Books
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Miscellaneous Material
Shelf 2 Books
Shelf 3 Books
Shelf 4 Books, Pamphlets
Shelf 5 Pamphlets
Bay 11
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Bay 12
Section 1
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
48
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 2
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 3
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Section 4
Shelf 1 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 2 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 3 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 4 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
Shelf 5 RCPE Records - Laboratory Histology Books
8.2 Appendix 2: Rough list of the miscellaneous contents of the Top Library
Archival Contents of Top Library
Key to Drawer Codes for the Drawers in the Top Library
Drawers to the Left (as seen upon entering the Library):
Drawers to the Right (as seen upon entering the Library):
L1 L3 L5 L7
Drawe L2 L4 L6 L8
r L1
Various images of the College both framed and unframed (Queen Street and George
Street).
Internal photographs of the College.
Ph
R1 R3 R5 R7
oto
gra R2 R4 R6 R8
ph
s of the Conference Centre (and building of).
Various posters of exhibitions at different institutions.
Drawer L2
Bound List of Fellows of the RCPE on the Roll of Attendance, 1912-14.
49
Documents regarding the collection of signatures and women‟s subscriptions to go
towards the New Maternity Hospital at Edinburgh in memory of James Young Simpson,
1877.
Message of greeting from the RCPE to the People‟s Republic of China, 1985.
Notification of Honorary Membership of the RCPE awarded to Sir Temulji Nariman,
Bombay, 1922.
Papers of the RCPE Council Committee on conditions of Membership and Fellowship to
the College [1930‟s]. Also includes miscellaneous related papers.
Book of reproductions of various addresses issued by the RCPE.
Book of original copies of various addresses issued by the RCPE.
Menu for a lunch held to [celebrate the New Buildings of the University of Edinburgh],
1884.
Various printed charts and diagrams [relating to anaemia], n.d.
Register of visitors to the RCPE 1911-14 and 1965.
Copy of BMJ, 1982.
Reproduction of Diploma of Membership/Fellowship of Sidney Edwin [Herbert], [1874].
Blank College Diplomas.
Reproduction of poster advertising classes held at Queen‟s College Edinburgh during the
Summer Session, 1841.
Colour photos with descriptions of details of the ceilings of No. 8 Queen Street.
Regulations for the use of the Library by Strangers (RCPE), 1905.
Reproductions of [College addresses].
Blank Certificates in Midwifery (RCPE, RCSE, RCPSG).
Papers relating to the College visit to Pakistan, Sept. 1990.
Envelope containing: 2 photos of College; photo of Queen Elizabeth [visit to College?];
graphic illustration of [Conference Centre]; RCPE Development Campaign sign.
Envelope containing clear plastic sheet printed with College Coat of Arms.
Drawer L3
Locked (no archival material)
Drawer L4
No archival material
Drawer L5
Locked (no archival material)
Drawer L6
No archival material
Drawer L7
Folder containing collection of army newspapers dated around VE day [from Dr W.
Macleod]. Includes –
o Copies of „Union Jack‟ (Central Italy Edition), d. 3rd and 7th-10th May, 1945
o Copy of „Crusader‟ (Special Edition), d. 9th May 1945
o Copies of „The Stars and Stripes‟ (Mediterranean Edition), d. 3rd and 9th May
1945 (copy dated 9th May includes special pictorial supplement).
50
Folder containing photocopies of various newspaper articles related to the College, d.
1931-1986; copy of the „Edinburgh Tatler‟, d. March 1967; original clippings of article
from the „Scotsman‟ on the 250th anniversary of the College, d. 11th February 1931.
Envelope containing Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory maps, d. 1924-1925 and
1929-1930. With original envelopes.
Envelope containing 6 copies of the Empire Medical Advisory Bureau „Summary of
Regulations for Postgraduate Diplomas and of Courses of Instruction in Postgraduate
Medicine‟, d. 1951-1955.
Envelope containing bundle of miscellaneous documents seemingly related to the
College, d. [1880‟s]. These were found in a „Minute Book of Museum‟ when it was
rebound in March 1972.
Envelope containing a copy of „The Lancet‟, d. 9th June 1849. This features, amongst the
letters to the editor, a letter from C. Stewart regarding „Medical etiquette in Scotland‟ and
James Young Simpson (p. 626-7). Also includes photocopies of the aforementioned
pages.
Envelope containing typed extracts from „New Light on Allan Ramsay‟ by George
Gibson (1927). Also includes a photocopy of a published version of Ramsay‟s „Poem to
the Memory of Archibald Pitcairne‟.
Cream box containing
o A folder of published caricatures of College [Fellows], by „OH!‟, 1907 (listed
in Library „Manuscripts Catalogue‟ under „MAVOR, Osborne Henry‟)
o Photo‟s of a selection of artefacts [having belonged to Sydney A Smith]
amongst which are a number of tools and implements [probably various
murder weapons]
Drawer L8
Large bundle of material relating to J. D. S. Cameron, including photographs. [Donated
by Lady Cameron].
Framed „Leaf from the Tree of Hippocrates at Isle of Cos‟, 1965, Douglas Guthrie.
Framed photographs of animals and natives in African country.
Box of photographs taken around the College and of individuals [connected with the
College], [mid-late 1880‟s].
Yellow box containing correspondence regarding pictures of the College along with some
slides, photographs and other images of the College.
Copy of „Country Life‟, 1951.
Copy of „Weekend Telegraph‟ magazine, 1964.
Box of very miscellaneous documents and items [relating to the College].
Drawer R1
No archival material
Drawer R2
Group portrait of the Third International Congress of Dermatology, 1896 (with key at
bottom to identify individuals).
Various graphs [relating to Escherichia coli], n.d. [author/originator unknown].
Various prints (large and outsize) of medical illustrations and diagrams.
Various large prints of portraits of individuals [connected with the college].
2 outsize prints of illustrations showing the physical characteristics of dangerous snakes
of the [Australian State of] Virginia, by Prof. McCoy.
51
Large printed diagram (in card board tube) showing „Intermediary Metabolism‟, by H. J.
Salluch and R. W. McGilvery (sent to RCPE library by the Royal Library of Belgium).
„War Map of Central Europe from Paris to Vienna‟ (First World War), printed by W. and
A. K. Johnston, n.d.
„Synoptical table of the Mineral and Vegetable Poisons‟, translated from French by
Eusèbe de Salle, Edinburgh, Carfrae, 1825.
Diploma of Fellowship of the RCPE of [William] Pennefather Warren, 1882.
2 printing blocks used in the printing of the article „The Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh, it‟s origins and functions‟ by G. R. Pendrill in the Scottish Medical Journal,
Nov. 1961. Includes letter to Pendrill from Gilmour and Lawrence, printers, 13 Dec 1961.
Pieces from model of Physicians‟ Hall [model above staircase to Top Library?].
Framed print of engraving of illustration by H. Humphreys entitled „Easing the Tooth-
ach‟, 1796.
Framed print of engraving of illustration by H. Humphreys entitled „Breathing a vein‟,
1804.
Framed print of engraving of illustration by H. Humphreys entitled „Gentle Emetic‟,
1804.
2 rolls of [unused bookbinding leather]
Drawer R3
Grey box largely containing personal papers.20 Includes:
o Broadside describing the trial of James Stuart for killing Sir Alexander
Boswell in a duel [1822] (see JP21 catalogue – „Boswell Family Collection‟
1/1)
o „Disposition of the Lands and Baronies of Dolphington by Sir Archibald
Stevenson in favour of [William] Morison of Prestongrange, 1690‟
(inaccurately listed in Library „Manuscripts Catalogue‟ under Stevensone, Sir
Archibald)
o Drawing of foetus and womb [by James Foulis] (possibly extracted from
James Foulis Collection)
o James Foulis‟ B.M. degree, M.Ch. degree and M.D. degree (all from the
University of Edinburgh), RCPE Fellowship Diploma, and Australasian
Association of Edinburgh life membership (see JP catalogue – „James Foulis
Collection‟ 3/18);
o Carey Argyll Robertson‟s (nee Fraser) [sister-in-law of James Foulis] Croix
Rouge Francaise award and Order of the Eastern Star (Edina Chapter)
certificate (see JP „James Foulis Collection‟ 4/21)
o Two awards/diplomas belonging to [Pedro Baptista le Sassier] along with a
hand drawn map of Spain showing the geographical division of armies during
the [Peninsula War?] (all in Spanish)
o Photo of the Body of a Woman from the [Sathasivam] Case (a murder case
Sydney A Smith worked on – see JP catalogue – „Sydney A Smith Collection‟
21/165) and a plan of Brook House Farm [from the George Kitchen Case] (see
JP catalogue – „Sydney A Smith Collection‟ 16/137)
o Passport belonging to W P Alison (extracted from W P Alison Papers although
not listed in JP catalogue);
20
All of the material in this box appears to have been extracted from the collections of personal papers in
Basement 8 to be stored in the Top Library probably due to the size of the items.
21
JP – Joy Pitman (former archivist)
52
o Copy of Edinburgh Evening Post belonging to Richard Poole (see JP –
„Richard Poole Collection‟ 41/QQ/1-17)
o Newspaper articles belonging to R W Philip (extracted from R W Philip
Collection – unable to locate exact reference in JP catalogue)
o Print of engraving of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Original outsize manuscript folder containing large number of anatomical and figure
drawings and miscellaneous sketches by James Foulis (extracted from the James Foulis
Papers, listed in JP‟s „James Foulis Collection‟)
Drawer R4
Folder of unidentified illustrations and sketches both anatomical and medical. Also
includes notes and printed documents.
Folder of various unidentified illustrations of parts of the human skeleton and of various
plants. Also includes printed maps of North America, Africa, Asia and a plan of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne along with a print of an engraving of a classical portrait.
Various large publications of illustrations related to various medical topics.
Drawer R5
Album of photographs of No. 8 Queen Street which accompanied the schedule of
condition, 1987.
Envelope of photographs of No. 8 Queen Street taken before its reconstruction in 1988.
Green outsize manuscripts folder containing –
o A plan of the Western Front of September, 1918
o A letter accompanying the plan from the Private Secretary of Field-Marshal
Earl Haig to the President of the RCPE, 1919
o Papers of David Midgley Cockcroft including: certificate from the Society of
Apothecaries to practice as an apothecary, 1835; 2 Indentures of
apprenticeship under the apothecary James [Strafford], 1834; Certificate from
Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, 1834; Certificate from the Theatre of
Anatomy and School of Surgery, Dublin, 1834; Certificate from Mercer‟s
Hospital, 1833; Certificate of Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
of London, 1835
o Diploma of Thomas Robert Edmundson from the Royal College of Physicians
of Edinburgh.
Yellow plastic wallet containing 3 prints of Thomas Addis and 1 of William Cullen.
2 Portrait photos [unidentified].
Drawer R6
Various portraits and reproductions of portraits (engravings, photographs etc.) of historic
individuals connected with the College.
Stack of modern photos.
Various miscellaneous documents.
2 Grey boxes containing small reproductions of portraits of various historic individuals
connected with the College.
Drawer R7
Multiple copies (some framed, others mounted) of a print of the RCPE (Physicians‟ Hall,
no. 9 Queen Street) from a watercolour by David Risk Kennard, 1997.
Envelope containing a pencil drawing of a horses hoof [unidentified].
53
Envelope containing a printed map of the world showing trade routes, 1930.
Envelope containing a photocopy of the RCPE diploma of Albert von Haller, 1772 –
presented to the Library by Dr. H. Haeberli, Berne, 1961.
Numerous newspaper cuttings along with photographs and leaflets related to J. D. S.
Cameron (in envelope) – includes a newspaper report on his death – originally presented
by Lady Cameron, 1969.
Envelope containing a replica of Shakespeare‟s will presented as a gift to J. D. S.
Cameron – presented to the College by Lady Cameron, 1969.
Original copy of The Illustrated London News, dated 11 October 1845. Includes an article
on the RCPE.
Various large sketch portraits of individuals ([patients?] – one person appears to be in a
straitjacket).
Published „Address delivered by Mr Raymond Poincaré, Lord Rector of the University of
Glasgow, d. 13 Nov 1919
[Original print of engraving] of William Hogarth‟s illustration for Samuel Butler‟s
„Hudibrus‟, entitled „Hudibrus Beats Sidrophel and his Man Whacum‟, d. [1725]
[Original print of engraving] of William Hogarth‟s illustration „The Reward of Cruelty‟,
d. [1750].
Modern reproductions of „12 Old Maps and prints showing the growth of Edinburgh up to
the development of the New Town‟, in plastic packaging.
Map of Leyden in Holland, n.d.
Published illustration of a map of Scotland showing advancements throughout medical
history [d. 1950‟s].
Drawer R8
V. large sketch drawing [the hand of God moulding man?] by Noel Paton [Joseph Noel
Paton?] signed by Paton with a dedication to Dr. Peddie [Dr. Alexander Peddie?].
Drawing originally belonged to Dr. John Brown.
Dedication reads –
My Dear Dr. Peddie,
I have much pleasure in signing this rough diagram, made so many years ago for our
dear friend “Dr. John”
Noel Paton, 2nd Jany, 1897
The text below the dedication reads –
He is not far from every one of us, for “in him we love and more, and have our being” –
out of the darkness comes the hand reaching through nature – moulding man
(given to Dr. Peddie by Dr. John Brown and used by him in giving his Health Lectures.)
Photograph of the General Reading Room of the RCPE Library, Dec. 1955
Newspaper cutting from the Scotsman with photos of the unveiling of a commemorative
plaque by Dr W. A. Alexander (PRCPE) at the renovated gravestone of Arhibald
Pitcairne, [19 Dec. 1952]. With separate list of names of people in newspaper photograph
by [H. P. Tait], June 1980.
Photograph of a portrait of [unidentified – poss. Archibald Pitcairne?]
Collection of items previously belonging to R. W. Philip including –
o Diploma of Fellowship to the Royal College of Physicians London, [1933]
o Diploma [of Membership] to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
1887
o Diploma [of Fellowship] to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
1889
54
o Ll.D, University of Glasgow, 1920
o [MA] University of Edinburgh, 1878
o Royal Medical Society [Membership], [1882]
o Diploma of Honorary Membership (Ehrenmitglied) of the International
Medical and Children‟s Diseases [Society], Vienna, 1907
o Diploma of Vice-Presidency of the International Society of Tuberculosis,
Paris, 1911
o Certificate of Honorary Membership of the Interstate Postgraduate Medical
Association of North America, n.d.
o Diploma from the Central Bureau for the Prevention of Consumption, n.d.
o Oversize print on canvas depicting enlarged image of microscopic view of
Bacillus Tuberculosis Sputum, n.d.
o Oversize print on canvas depicting enlarged image of microscopic view of
Streptococcus pyogenes, n.d.
o Oversize print of photograph group portrait of Fellows of the RCPE, d. 1901.
With separate key to identify individuals.
55
8.3 Appendix 4: Survey of the College Papers
The Survey of the College papers outlines all of the College records with the
exception of the few items located independently elsewhere such as those shelved
amongst miscellaneous material. The records are presented under a series of general
headings. These headings are not intended as a representation of any potential
cataloguing structure but are rather an attempt to group similar records and
demonstrate the range and scope of the records held in this collection. The headings
are, however, a reflection of the current physical arrangement.
Constitution and laws of the College and related
1) 1 box of „Papers relating to the constitution and Laws of the Royal College
of Physicians and Lists of Members‟,
Minutes and related
1) 30 original bound minute books of College meetings, 1682-1999
There is a gap for the years 1684-94. Also included are two volumes of abstracts
of minutes (1682-1725 and 1682-1731).
(Strongroom B3\Se2\Sh4 – B3\Se3\Sh2)
2) 22 original bound minute books of College Council meetings, 1844-1950
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh3)
3) 9 volumes typescript reproductions of minute books, (1682-1861 – with gaps)
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh1-2)
There are many duplicates of these in Basement 8 North also.
4) 29 boxes + 1 unpackaged bundle of unbound draft College minutes, [1838-
1990‟s]
(Archives Store B1\Se1\Sh1-5)
5) 4 boxes of unbound draft College Council minutes, [1906-16 and 1970-95]
(Archives Store B1\Se1\Sh5)
6) 2 boxes + 1 bundle wrapped in brown paper of unbound typed minutes, [1862-92]
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh1)
7) 5 boxes of [draft] College minutes, 1682-1833
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
8) 1 box of scroll minutes, 1796-1839
The box also includes a number of diplomas (1698-1888)
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
Note: According to the National Register of Archives
(www.nationalarchives.gov.uk\nra) the National Library of Scotland holds a series of
56
Royal College of Physicians minute books, (1682-1861). It is unclear as to whether
these are duplicates created at a later date similar to those in Basement 8 or whether
they are original copies.
Correspondence, general admin and related
1) 10 boxes labelled “Secretary/President, 1890‟s”, [1875-1890‟s]
These boxes largely contain correspondence received and copies of
correspondence generated by the respective offices of the Secretary and the
President. Other material including some reports, billets, etc. are amongst the
correspondence. One box includes treasurer‟s abstracts – this is indicated on the
box label. Much of the correspondence is from the 1890‟s but the boxes also
contain correspondence dated outwith these years (starting in 1875 or perhaps
earlier).
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh1-2)
2) 1 box labelled “Admin, 1890‟s 1900‟s”, [1899-1901]
This box includes some College correspondence. Also includes a number of
reports, extracts of minutes, billets etc.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh1)
3) 2 boxes labelled “Admin President Secretary, 1905-1915, inc. cases”,
[1905-1915]
These boxes include some correspondence along with reports, extracts from
minutes, billets, etc. These boxes also include a few papers relating to particular
College disciplinary cases (which may be the „cases‟ the box labels refer to).
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh2)
4) 3 boxes labelled “Admin President Secretary / various files”, [1912-1948]
Of these boxes two contain largely miscellaneous documents many of which are
arranged by subject into folders. These include: papers of the „President‟s
Committee‟, [1916-19]; Correspondence with the Edinburgh Institution Ltd.,
[1912-19]; Applications for the Morison Prize, [1923-1938]; Membership
schedules and examiners reports, [1911-48]; A file labelled “President‟s file,
1929-30”, containing miscellaneous correspondence and other items, [1929-30];
Examiners reports for Lectureship Examinations, [1911-47]; Letters and papers
relating to the income tax appeal.
The remaining box contains various billets, reports, correspondence, etc. including
material relating to the Medical School and some disciplinary cases.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh2)
5) 5 boxes labelled “Admin Secretary (letters) 1905-1915”, [1904-18]
These boxes contain letters received by the Secretary between 1904 and 1918. The
letters have been numbered 1 to 1586. They are largely in order. However, there is
an overlap between the contents of the second and third boxes (335-835 and 518-
966 respectively). The letters have been indexed and the index book (also
containing a few loose letters from the sequence) is with the boxes.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh2)
6) 1 box labelled “Letters (Secretary) 1920-26”, [1920-26]
57
This box contains correspondence received by the College Secretary between
1920 and 1926.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3)
7) 3 boxes labelled “Admin 1920‟s”, [1920‟s-30‟s]
These boxes contain correspondence of [the College Secretary]. The
correspondence is arranged throughout the three boxes into bundles organised
alphabetically. The boxes are labelled accordingly.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3)
8) 1 box labelled “Secretary 1880‟s-90‟s, [1880‟s-90‟s]
This box contains very miscellaneous documents including correspondence,
reports, articles, etc. related to various subjects. Some of the material is arranged
into folders.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3)
9) 4 boxes labelled “Secretary + Registrar Letters, etc.”, [1887-1904]
These boxes contain letters of the College Secretary and Registrar. The letters are
largely arranged into bundles and loosely organised by date (the boxes are labelled
with the relevant dates accordingly).
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3)
10) 10 boxes labelled “Clerk‟s files”, [1843-1937]
These boxes contain a range of different types of documents collected and
generated by the Clerk‟s office. There is some correspondence (2 of the boxes
mainly contain correspondence), [1843-1906]. Much of the records are official
documents of the College (including reports, cases for consideration of Council,
memoranda, etc.) on various issues including the granting of a Supplementary
Charter [1919], legal appeals, and the issue of Precedence of the Royal Colleges,
[1898-1937]. Included among these files are a few records relating to disciplinary
cases particularly the case of the College against Dr. Temple & co. [1914-1915].
The records in these boxes require extensive further investigation and
reorganisation as there is very little organisation to them and record types, dates
and subjects vary considerably.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3-4)
11) 6 bound Letter Books, 1886-1942
These letter books contain copies of letters received and sent by the College Clerk.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh3-4)
12) 1 bound Letter Book, [1904-1918]
This volume contains copies of [general?] College correspondence.
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh5)
13) 25 boxes labelled with just a year, e.g. “1882”, 1876-1891
These boxes contain general correspondence received by the College. The letters
are bundled according to date and arranged in a loosely chronological order.
Might these somehow supplement the general College correspondence stored in
the Strongroom? (see 16 below).
(Archives Store B1\Se2\Sh5 – B1\Se3\Sh2)
58
14) 3 unboxed folders of correspondence, [1947-53]
These folders contain correspondence with the Department of Health for Scotland
and the British Medical Association on various issues.
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh2)
15) 2 boxes labelled “Council 1880‟s-90‟s”
These boxes contain correspondence, most likely that which was presented for
consideration of the College Council as letters are mostly arranged into envelopes
with the dates [of Council meetings] written on the front.
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh2)
16) 5 boxes labelled “General Correspondence”, 1704-1885
These boxes contain general correspondence in connection with the College
(largely correspondence of the President and Secretary). The letters are arranged
chronologically. The letters are listed in the Library‟s „Inventory of Muniments‟ in
which each individual letter is listed and described (in chronological order).
(Strongroom B4\Se3\Sh1)
17) 1 box labelled “Additional Correspondence”, 1846-1907
This box contains further general correspondence in connection with the College
(largely correspondence of the President and Secretary). The letters are arranged
chronologically. The letters are listed in the Library‟s „Inventory of Muniments‟
along with the letters under general correspondence (see 16 above).
(Strongroom B4\Se3\Sh1)
Disciplinary cases and related
1) 6 boxes of material relating to disciplinary cases, [1909-1947]
The material in these boxes is organised in folders and arranged by alphabetical
order by the name of the Fellow, Member or Licentiate concerned (the box labels
show the names covered in each).
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh2)
2) 1 box labelled “Clerk‟s files Cases Tibbits 1893”, [1893]
This box contains material relating to the disciplinary case against Dr. Herbert
Tibbits in 1893.
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh2)
3) Loose material relating to disciplinary cases, [1893-1915]
This includes 4 folders and a number of loose bundles of documents related to
various disciplinary cases (names of the Fellow/Member/Licentiate concerned are
indicated on the outside of the bundles and folders). Also includes a number of
mounted photographs taken in connection with the disciplinary case against Dr.
Temple, Co. [1914-15].
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh2)
Note: For other material related to disciplinary cases see also
„Correspondence, general admin and related‟ (nos. 3, 4, and 10) above. There is a
likelihood that other related material will exist elsewhere also.
59
Financial and related
1) 40 boxes of Treasurers Accounts, 1683 – 1913
These boxes contain receipts, invoices, vouchers, etc. Within the boxes material is
arranged in bundles in chronological order.
(Archives Store B1\Se3\Sh3 – B1\Se4\Sh1)
2) 22 bound cash books/journals, 1878-1971
It is uncertain as to whether these volumes constitute one series or two or more
series. Earlier books (1878-1957) are smaller, labelled „Cash Book‟ and are single
column entry. Later books (1957-1971) are larger with different bindings,
unlabelled, and are double column entry. The very last book is labelled „Day
Book‟ and its contents are comparable to the later books (1957-1971). The dates,
however, correspond well (indicating just one series). Dates in the later books
frequently overlap (e.g. Book 12 covers the following dates: Aug – Oct, 1957;
Jan, 1958; May – Jul, 1958; etc. Where as book 13 covers the following dates:
Nov – Dec, 1957; Feb – Apr, 1958; Aug – Oct, 1958; etc.).
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh1-2)
3) 1 flat „Durotype‟ box
This box contains various printed reports (and many duplicates) issued by the
Treasurer and the Finance Committee, [1890-98]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh2)
4) 8 boxes of vouchers, used cheques and cheque books, receipts, etc., [1914-56
(with gaps)]
Judging by the dates it is possible that this material may form an extension to the
40 boxes of „Treasurer‟s Accounts‟ (see 1 above). Also includes the box labelled
“Treasurer 1946-52” on a different shelf (B1\Se4\Sh5).
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh2-3&5)
5) 8 boxes labelled „Cashbooks, etc.‟, [1885-1913]
These boxes contain cashbooks related to specific financial areas including
bursaries and prizes, fees, and the Laboratory. These boxes also include some
cheques, bankbooks, and counterfoils.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
6) 1 paper file containing Corporation Duty Returns accounts, [1911-50]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
7) 1 small cashbook, [1930-54]
This book covers various staff wages.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
8) 1 small cashbook, [1885-1949]
This book covers Museum income and expenditure (1885-1895) and [general
College] income and expenditure (1901-49).
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
60
9) 1 small cashbook, [1890-1942]
This book covers income and expenditure relating to the Cullen Prize.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
10) 1 journal, [1928-60 – with gaps]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
11) 3 boxes of loose printed „Abstracts of Accounts‟ (including duplicates),
[1890‟s-1970‟s]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
12) 2 bound volumes of „Abstracts of Accounts‟, 1900-47
The abstracts for the years 1906-07 and 1913-14 are missing. Otherwise, these
volumes exactly reproduce the loose abstracts for the corresponding years stored
in the 3 boxes (see 11 above).
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
13) 1 box of vouchers, used cheques and receipts, [1958-60]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
14) 1 box labelled “Treasurer‟s Minutes 1960‟s-1970‟s”, [1963-1982]
This box includes: copies of the minutes of the College Council, [1979-82]; an
envelope containing correspondence related of the Treasurer and „Abstracts of
Accounts‟, [1963-73]; an envelope of minutes, reports and correspondence
relating to the „Joint Committee of the Three Royal Colleges‟ and the
MRCP(UK), 1978-79.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
15) Box of material related to the Development Fund Appeal, [1970‟s]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
16) 2 boxes labelled „Miscellaneous Accounts‟, [1708-1904]
These boxes contain various receipts, invoices, reports, abstracts, etc.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
17) 1 box of material relating to fundraising and the proposed development of
the [Conference Centre], [1964-70‟s]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
18) 1 box of material relating to various subjects including the Development
Fund, the Library, and insurance policies
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh4)
19) 1 wooden folder containing various hand drawn graphs, [1911-48]
Graphs relate to finance, stocks and College Membership.
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh1 – on top of cash books, see no. 2 above)
20) 1 ledger, [1930‟s-50‟s]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
61
21) 2 large account books covering College funds, 1940-62
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
22) 2 large account books covering funds and bequests, 1941-62
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
23) 1 Treasurer‟s cashbook, 1770-75
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
24) 1 account book, 1902-1921
See also items 25-27
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh3)
25) 4 Account books, 1816-1902
See also items 24, 26, 27
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
26) 1 account book, 1923-1939
See also items 24, 25, 26
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
27) 1 [account book], 1771-1815
See also items 24-26
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
Fellowship, membership, exams and related
1) Box of candidate schedules for the Examination for Licence (LRCPE), [1879-84]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
2) 2 bound lists of Fellows on the Attendance Roll, [1931-46]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
3) Box of candidate schedules for Examination for Licence (LRCPE), [1884-1929]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
4) Two boxes of candidate schedules for the Single Qualification Exam, [1880-84]
(Archives Store B1\Se4\Sh5)
5) Box of various items related to Membership, Fellowship, and examinations,
[1890‟s-1910‟s]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh1)
6) 2 boxes of Membership Examination candidate schedules, [1893-1938]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh1)
7) 8 paper packages of Membership Examination question papers, [1900‟s-40‟s]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh1-2)
62
8) 1 folder of correspondence and other material relating to College Fellowships,
[1952-59]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh1)
9) [63] boxes of Fellowship petitions\proposals, [1695-1997]
(Archives Store B7-8)
10) [44] Fellowship schedules/forms and rejections, [1965-93]
(Archives Store B7-8)
11) [2] boxes Fellowship correspondence, [?]
(Archives Store B7-8)
12) [117] boxes of Membership petitions, [1880‟s-1960‟s]
(Archives Store B7-8)
13) [2] boxes of timetables and lists of candidates for the Membership Exam Part 2,
[1964-67]
(Archives Store B7-8)
14) Minute book of Examiners Committee, 1843-53
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
15) Examiners book, 1880-89
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
16) Diploma in public health examiners book, 1879-1930
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
17) Register of candidates for the Membership exam, 1882-1963
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
18) Register if candidates for the first professional examination, 1863-85
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
19) List of licentiates – 2 vol., 1859-1951
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
20) Register of candidates who have passed the final examination for the Triple
Qualification – 3 vol., 1884-1950
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
21) Volume of old papers set for various exams, [1883-92]
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
22) 3 examiner‟s books for [1st, 2nd, and 3rd exams] for the Triple Qualification,
[1890-1947]
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
23) 4 examiner‟s books for [1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th boards], [1890-1900‟s]
63
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
24) Register of candidates for the Membership Examination
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
College prizes, grants, bursaries, awards, etc. and related
1) 5 envelopes of applications for the Kirk Duncanson Fellowship, [1930-38]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
2) 1 envelope of reports of work done by the recipients of the Kirk Duncanson
Fellowship, [1933-40]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
3) 1 folder of correspondence and applications for the Kirk Duncanson Fellowship,
[1955-59]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
4) 1 folder of material relating to the Wood Bursary Scheme, [1931-36]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
5) 1 box of past exam papers for the Hill-Pattison Struthers Bursary, [1920-
49]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
6) 1 box of blank diplomas produced for the recipients of the Wood Bursary,
nd.
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
7) 1 box of essays and papers submitted in support of application for the
Cullen Prize, [1898-1902]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
8) Register of recipients for various awards, bursaries and prizes, 1896-1938
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
Billets and related
1) Box containing some printed College billets (numerous copies), [1890‟s- 1940‟s].
This box also contains some general correspondence and typescript reports along
with material relating to the Royal Commission on the Distribution of the
Industrial Population.
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
2) 2 boxes of various billets, [1893-1968]
This box includes reports, memoranda, extracts from minutes, etc.
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
3) 3 small boxes containing various billets,
These boxes include reports, memoranda, etc.
64
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
4) 1 bound volume containing College billets, [1882-88]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh2)
5) Pile of various loose billets, [1960‟s]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
6) 5 „Cuttings‟ books containing various billets, 1919-1947
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
7) 2 boxes of various College and Council billets, 1900-53
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
Events, lectures, and symposia and related
1) 2 packages of material on talks given at the Cullen Symposium,
Material is arranged into folders by name of person giving the talk.
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
2) 3 file cases containing material on College Dinners, [1893-1984]
These boxes include invitations, menus, etc.
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
3) 1 file case of material relating to various exhibitions held by the College,
[1982-92]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh3)
4) Seating plans (rolled up) for RMPA Dinner, 1947
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh4)
5) 5 boxes, 1 file case, and 1 envelope of material relating to the College
Tercentenary (1981), [1970‟s-80‟s]
(Archives Store B2\Se1\Sh4-5)
6) 1 box of material relating to an exhibition held to coincide with the 66th Annual
Meeting of the BMA in Edinburgh (1898), [1890‟s]
7) 1 box containing lecture cards for the Morison, Matheson–Shaw, and Black
Lectures, [1910‟s-50‟s]
This box also includes various miscellaneous material some of which relates to
property and buildings of the College, [1920‟s-40‟s]
Buildings, property, etc. and related
1) 2 boxes containing material regarding College buildings,
The second box also contains material relating to the Library
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
2) 1 box of material, some of which relates to buildings and property, [1845-
65
1930‟s]
This box includes the original lease for No. 8 Queen Street and an inventory of
furniture fixtures and fittings.
3) 1 box file of papers relating to objects belonging to the College, [1980‟s-
90‟s]
4) 1 box file of correspondence, reports, etc. relating to College buildings in
general, [1950‟s-90‟s]
5) 1 paper file containing papers relating to decoration, repairs and
furnishing of No. 8 Queen Street, [1955]
6) 1 box file containing papers relating to College buildings, [1970‟s-90‟s]
This includes a file on furnishings and one on events.
7) 1 box of accounts, correspondence, memoranda, etc. regarding buildings,
decoration and furnishings, [1913-79]
Laboratory and related
1) 12 boxes of Laboratory Accounts, [1949-50]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
2) 2 Research Account bank books, 1946-50
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
3) 2 [general] cashbooks, 1942-50
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
4) 1 Reporting Account cashbook, 1949-51
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
5) 1 Research Account cashbook, 1949-51
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
6) 1 cashbook detailing money spent on furniture, fittings and equipment for the new
Laboratory, 1887
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh1)
7) 1 box of unbound [general] cashbooks, 1922-24 and 1936-43
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
8) 1 box of cashbooks and ledgers, 1914-49
These books include: Reporting Account cashbooks, 1944-49; Reporting Account
ledgers, 1914-37; Research Account cashbooks, 1944-49; Research Account
ledgers, 1944-47.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
9) 3 boxes of vouchers for cashbooks, [1948-50]
66
These include summaries of wages and salaries, receipts and invoices. The
vouchers are numbered and arranged numerically into folders.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
10) 1 box of vouchers for abstract books, [1948-50]
These include receipts, invoices, etc. The vouchers are numbered and arranged
numerically into folders.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
11) 3 abstract books, 1930-50
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
12) 2 ledgers, [1942-50]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
13) 3 account books, [1920‟s-40‟s]
It seems that two of the books cover GPs‟ surgeries and private practices
(alphabetically across the two books), whilst the other book deals with Hospitals
and other organisations. It is possible, however, that this is not the case.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
14) 1 box of various financial material, 1897-50
This box includes Treasurer‟s reports, abstracts of accounts, etc.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
15) 4 boxes containing numerous copies of printed Annual Reports of the Laboratory
Curator, 1892-1948
These boxes also contain some abstracts of minutes, draft reports, etc.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh2)
16) 1 box of various printed, manuscript and typescript reports, [1890‟s-1940‟s]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
17) 1 box of correspondence, [1935-43]
This box also includes accounts
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
18) 4 volumes of Superintendents Monthly Reports, 1887-1904 and 1928-37
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
19) 2 volumes of Laboratory Committee minutes, [1887-1912]
The second of these volumes (1905-1912) also contains the Superintendents
Monthly reports for the corresponding years.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
20) 1 box containing various reports and correspondence, [1920‟s-40‟s]
This box includes draft annual reports of the Curator, [1939-41], material relating
to the bacteriological services provided by the Laboratory during the Second
World War, [1940‟s], and material relating to Laboratory buildings, [1927-42]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
67
21) 1 box of various individual letters and other material concerning the Laboratory,
[1895-1942]
This box includes an application from W. G. Liston for the post of Superintendent
and a letter regarding the issue of exemption from National Service for Laboratory
staff. An itemised list of contents is included in the box.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
22) 1 box of various reports and correspondence, [1913-40‟s]
This box includes material relating to staff appointments, notes on the history of
the Laboratory, Laboratory Committee minutes (1929-32) and Superintendent‟s
Monthly Reports (1913-28).
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
23) 1 box of Laboratory Committee minutes, 1913-25
This box also includes notes on the history of the Laboratory.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
24) 1 small non-archival box containing various [reports issued by the Laboratory],
This box also includes a draft of the application by the RCPE to the Carnegie
Trust, 10 July 1901.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
25) 1 box containing various correspondence and reports, [1894-1930‟s]
This box includes business correspondence, [1928-35], reports of the Committee
of the RCPE on the Laboratory, [1894-1905], vivisection licences along with
related correspondence from the Home Office, [1928-36], and applications for the
post of Bacteriologist, [1938-39].
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
26) 1 box of Laboratory Committee minutes, [1916-42]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
27) 1 box of College Council minutes relating to the Laboratory, [1898-1942]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
28) 1 box of various reports, correspondence, etc., [1904-40‟s]
This box includes clinical reports, [1904-25], material relating to cancer research
carried out at the Laboratory by Dr James Young, [1920‟s], material relating to
Laboratory war arrangements, [1938-42], and material relating to the Institute of
Medical Laboratory Technology.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh3)
29) 1 box containing a draft of a „History of the Lab‟, [nd]
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
30) Box containing various reports, [1904-49]
This box includes various draft reports, memoranda, etc. issued by the Laboratory,
copies of the Ministry of Health Weekly Record of Infectious Diseases, 1939-41,
and vouchers for abstract books, [1948-49]
68
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
31) Box containing various correspondence, [1939-50]
This box includes correspondence on services used and provided by the
Laboratory, legal issues (such as vivisection), and general financial and
administrative correspondence.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
32) 2 files of Laboratory Committee meetings minutes, [1936-50]
One covers approximately 1943-50 the other covers approximately 1936-50.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
33) 1 handwritten journal outlining the Laboratory‟s efforts to produce
Diphtheria Antitoxic Serum, 1894-98
Written by Dr. Noel Päton.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
34) 2 [registers of physicians and surgeons using the Laboratory], [1939-45]
One volume covers surgeons and the other physicians.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
35) 1 box of original College reports concerning the Laboratory, 1885-1938
The box includes a contents list.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
36) 1 box of various draft memoranda issued by the Laboratory, 1903-49
The box includes a contents list.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
37) 1 box of various notes and files
The box includes various memoranda, Superintendent‟s notes and draft reports,
[1930‟s], and a number of newspaper clippings.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
38) 1 box of various reports and papers, [1900‟s-40‟s]
The box includes material related to investigations into bacteriophage [1930‟s-
40‟s], Treasurer‟s reports, material related to the Lister Memorial Scheme
[1930‟s] and other miscellaneous material.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
39) 1 box of various correspondence and reports, [1930‟s-50‟s]
The box includes material on the Carnegie Trust involvement in the Research
Laboratory [1930‟s], the Lister Institute Scheme [1937-38], and the Lister
Memorial Scheme [1937-50].
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
40) 2 boxes correspondence, [1920‟s-50‟s]
The boxes include correspondence regarding the Frederick Price Lectureship,
[1937-51], Laboratory Funds, [1953-54], the Committee on the Organisation of
Laboratory Services in Scotland, [1956], the Therapeutic Substances Act, [1925-
69
41], and other general correspondence along with applications for various posts
and vivisection licences.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh4)
41) 1 box containing various clinical reports in an envelope, [nd.]
The box also contains Department of Health Weekly Returns on Infectious
Diseases, 1939-41.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh5)
42) 1 box of various correspondence, [1939-50]
The correspondence is generally arranged by subject. The subjects include
patients, employees, and the Committee on the Future of the Laboratory, 1948-50.
(Archives Store B2\Se2\Sh5)
Library and related
1) 1 box containing material relating to the Library,
The box also contains material relating to College buildings (see „Buildings,
property, etc. and related‟ no. 1)
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
Note: The remaining library material is largely of recent origin (post-1960‟s) and
should be addressed separately. However, the records in the Strongroom and the
Archives Store include a number of historical volumes largely from the 19th and
earlier 20th centuries. These include minute books, letter books, volumes of books
received, receipt books, periodicals lists, volumes relating to bookbinding, a
suggestion book, and volumes related to books in circulation.
Committees and related
1) Piles of loose material relating to various committees including the following:
The Joint-Committee on specialised status ([1945])
The British Medical Association Scottish Committee (NHS) (1944)
The Joint-Committee on Terms of Service of Hospital Medical Staffs (1949)
The Joint Committee on the Inter-Departmental Committee‟s Report on Medical
Schools (Goodenough Report) (1945)
The Scottish Medical Advisory Committee (1943)
The Medical Planning Commission (1942)
The Industrial Health Services Committee (1949)
Joint Committee on the School of Medicine (1943)
The Committee appointed to draft a memorandum on the NHS White Paper
(1944)
The „Watching‟ Committee (NHS) (1946)
The Committee appointed to examine the project of a Royal College of Physicians
of Scotland (1946)
The Committee on Housing Design (1943)
The Committee on the Control of Radioactive Substances (1945)
The Committee on the Nursing Services in Scotland (1938)
The Committee appointed to prepare a memorandum on the Medical Staffing
Structure in the Hospital Service (1959)
70
The Committee on Medical Schools (1942)
The Committee on the Dispensing of Medicine (1929)
The Committee on Workmen‟s Compensation (1938)
The Committee on the Geographical Distribution of the Industrial Population
(1938)
The Committee on Nursing Services in Scotland (1938)
The Committee on the Scottish Lunacy and Mental Deficiency Laws (1938)
The Committee on Post-War Hospital Problems (1942)
The Committee on Post-Graduate Teaching (1943)
The College Committee on Maternity Services (1936)
Each pile has a sheet giving background information on the relevant committee.
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh2-3)
2) 1 box file containing minutes and reports of the Edinburgh Post-Graduate Board
for Medicine,
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh4)
3) 1 box file of various Council Committee reports, [1971-76]
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh4)
4) 1 box file of various College Committee reports, [1921-72]
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh4)
5) 1 box material relating to various Committees, [1970‟s-80‟s]
The box includes material relating to the Ten Day Rule Committee, [1973], and
the BMA Committee for Hospital Medical Services Scotland, [1980-83].
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh4)
6) Number of loose papers relating to various committees
Papers include correspondence, reports, etc.
(Archives Store B2\Se4\Sh4)
7) 1 volume of excerpts from College minutes relating to Medical Reform, 1804-60
(and separate volume of appendices 1804-58)
This was compiled for the College Committee on Medical Reform.
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
8) 1 volume of papers relating to Medical Reform, 1841-63
This was most likely compiled for the College Committee on Medical Reform.
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh1)
9) Survey of the Highlands and Islands Medical Services, 1852
Carried out by the College Highlands and Islands Medical Services Committee,
(1850).
Miscellaneous College material
1) Typed Minute Book of Trustees of the RCPE, 1843-1924
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
71
2) Documents relating to negotiations for amalgamation between the three Scottish
Colleges, 1848-49
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
3) Royal College of Physicians Museum Minute Book, [1835-57]
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh1)
4) 5 Guard books, 1883-1987
These books contain particular items of interest collected in the form of a
scrapbook. Items include cuttings, correspondence and billets.
(Strongroom lower rear shelves)
5) 3 Entertainment books, 1891-1995
These books contain particular items of interest related to events and ceremonies
held by the College collected in the form of a scrapbook. Items include cuttings,
correspondence and billets.
(Strongroom lower rear shelves)
6) 1 volume of appeal fund donations, 1955-74
(Strongroom B3\Se3\Sh5)
7) 5 boxes of „Miscellaneous Papers‟,
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
8) 3 boxes of „Additional Miscellaneous Papers‟, 1857-1905
(Strongroom B4\Se3)
72
8.4 Details of some specific collections amongst the deposited papers
Abercrombie, John
Title – Papers of John Abercrombie
Dates – [1798-1844]
Extent – 4 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: a great deal of
correspondence (including, consultation letters,
testimonials, and general correspondence) [1820-44];
publishers accounts, 1832-36; manuscript and
printed articles [1816-19]; casebooks, 1800-1844;
notebooks [1798-1844]; and collected writings of
others, [1815-1838].
Condition – Good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „John
Abercrombie Collection‟ catalogue written by
former archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se1\Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – The current catalogue is arranged under the
following headings: „Correspondence –
Consultation‟; „Correspondence – Testimonials‟;
„Correspondence – General‟; „Financial‟; „Subject
Files – Cholera‟; „Writings – Articles‟; „Writings –
Casebooks‟; „Writings – Notebooks‟; „Writings of
others‟.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material in the
73
Archives Store represents the arrangement of the
catalogue.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Acquired by the Library – [1845] (with a number of Library books)
Alexander, W. A.
Title – Papers of William Alister Alexander
Dates – 1920‟s – 1970‟s
Extent – 3 boxes
Scope and content – One box (brown box labeled “papers to be sorted”)
contains a variety of material [1930‟s-70‟s]
including: notes on the history of the RCPE; various
billets and reports issued by the College; a number of
[draft reports, talks, etc.] along with some
correspondence, [1940‟s-50‟s].
The other two boxes include; material relating to job
applications [1925-44]; correspondence received by
Alexander following his retirement from the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh, 1955-56, and his resignation
from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 1932-33;
proofs of an article on Tuberculosis, 1937; drafts of
various speeches, 1920‟s-70‟s; obituaries of various
colleagues; class certificates, [1909-11]; material
related to the Davidson Clinic, [1962-3]; material
related to a Harveian Society festival, 1954; notes;
various correspondence; collected papers, cuttings,
extracts, etc.
Condition – Good (two of the storage boxes are archival quality
the other is not).
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (Bay 5/Section 3/Shelf 3-4)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – None. Material in the brown box has no physical
organisation. In the other two boxes material is
largely grouped according to subject or record type.
Biographical history – See over
Acquired by the Library – [November 2008]
Other notes – A number of medical objects were included with this
collection. These are stored separately in [Basement
11].
Alison, William Pulteney
74
Title – Papers of William Pulteney Alison (1790-1859)
Dates – [1805-1903]
Extent – 30 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: some correspondence, 1822-
54; material related to the study of cholera, 1831-31;
various qualifications, [1825-45]; various writings
(articles, books, etc.), [1810-58]; lectures, 1821-29;
clinical notes and notebooks, [1809-51]; travel
journals, [1819-35]; lecture notes, 1805-11; along
with various other items.
Condition – Largely good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „W P
Alison Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – The majority of material is stored in the Archives
Store (B4/Se1/Sh5 – B4/Se2/Sh2). One item which is
seemingly unlisted in the existing catalogue (a
passport belonging to W P Alison) is stored in Grey
Box, Drawer R3, Top Library apparently due to its
size.
Current cat. arrangement – The current catalogue is arranged under the
following headings: „Correspondence‟; „Financial‟;
„Subject Files – Cholera‟; „Subject Files – Medical
Education/Qualifications‟; „Writings –
Articles/Essays‟; „Writings – Books‟; „Writings –
Clinical Lectures‟; „Writings – Clinical Notebooks‟;
„Writings – Clinical Notes‟; „Writings –
Examinations‟; „Writings – Exercises‟; „Writings –
Experiments‟; „Writings – Extracts from other
writers‟; „Writings – Journals, travel‟; „Writings –
Lectures, notes of‟; „Writings – Prescriptions‟;
„Writings – Miscellaneous‟. Under these headings
items are listed individually.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the records in the
Archives Store is in accordance with the arrangement
in the catalogue. Items located elsewhere are
arranged in and amongst items from other
collections.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Other notes – A number of objects are included with this
collection.
According to the information given in the existing
catalogue for this collection Alison himself doubted
whether this disorganized collection of papers could
ever be arranged to his own satisfaction. Further to
75
this the catalogue states that much of this collection
appears to have suffered accidental disarrangement
at some point prior to its deposit in the Library. This
apparently is the reason for some of the broad
headings such as „Writings – Miscellaneous‟.
Bird, D. T.
Title – Papers of D T Bird
Dates – 1980
Extent – 4 boxes
Scope and content – This collection consists of material relating to Bird‟s
16th Century Catalogue. It includes drafts, proofs and
correspondence.
Condition – Good (although the boxes the material is stored in
are not acid-free, archival quality boxes).
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se1\Sh1)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – None
Biographical history – None
Blackhall-Morison, Alexander
Title – Papers of Alexander Blackhall-Morison (1850-1927)
Dates – [1870 – 1927]
Extent – 10 boxes
Scope and content – This collection includes: Testimonials, 1872-93;
Writings (including Lectures, Articles, Books, etc.),
[1884-1923]; Journals (containing notes, personal
entries, sketches, photos and correspondence), 1870-
1927; Notebooks containing genealogical material;
and other material.
Condition – Generally good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the
„Alexander Blackhall-Morison Collection‟ catalogue
written by former archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se3\Sh4-5)
Current cat. arrangement – The current catalogue is arranged under the
following headings: „Correspondence –
Testimonials‟; „Writings – Addresses‟; „Writings –
Articles‟; „Writings – Books‟; „Writings – Books,
prefaces, etc.‟; „Writings – Journals/Notebooks‟;
„Writings – Notebooks‟; „Writings – Report,
Statement, Thesis‟; „Writings of others‟; and „Other
Material‟. Under these headings items are listed
individually.
76
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the records is in
accordance with the arrangement in the catalogue.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 5,000 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Boswell Family
Title – Papers of the Boswell Family
Dates – [1732-1990]
Extent – 1 box
Scope and content – The collection mainly relates to John Boswell (1710-
80). The collection includes: Financial and legal
items relating to John Boswell, (1732-80); Journals
and notebooks of John Boswell, [1770‟s];
Correspondence relating to Alexander Boswell,
1818-36; and various more modern items relating to
the family and the collection.
Condition – Generally good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Boswell
Family Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – The items are currently catalogued by family
member (Alexander senior, Alexander younger,
John, Mary and Boswell Family – general). Under
these headings are other sub-headings.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material in the
Archives Store represents the arrangement of the
catalogue.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Bramwell, Edwin
Title – Papers of Edwin Bramwell
Dates – [1890‟s-1952]
Extent – [35] volumes
Scope and content – This collection includes; personal diaries (22
volumes) of the years, 1934-52; articles; lectures;
and autobiographical notes and drafts of chapters.
Condition – Generally good
77
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se2\Sh1)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – None
Biographical history – None
Other notes – The content of at least one of the notebooks is
written on the back of case notes. This may need to
be addressed with regards to data protection.
Cameron, J. D. S.
Title – Papers of J. D. S. Cameron
Dates – [1930‟s-60‟s]
Extent – 50 boxes
Scope and content – This collection consists of Cameron‟s private
practice case notes.
Condition – Good (although the material is not stored in archival
quality, acid-free boxes).
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B6\Se2\Sh5 – B6\Se4\Sh4)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – The case notes are arranged in alphabetical order by
the name of the patient.
Biographical history – None
Other notes – These files will be subject to data protection.
Cash, John
Title – Papers of John Cash
Dates – [unknown]
Extent – 14 very large boxes
Scope and content – This collection has not yet been investigated
Condition – Seemingly good (the collection is stored in large
packing boxes which are not archival quality and
which are rather cumbersome)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B6\Se1\Sh3 – B6\Se2\Sh4)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – [unknown]
Biographical history – None
Comrie, J D
Title – Papers of John Dixon Comrie
Dates – [1910-39]
Extent – 7 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: some correspondence; a
78
journal recounting Comrie‟s time in Archangel,
Northern Russia, with the British Expeditionary
Forces, 1919; Lectures and Notes on the history of
medicine, [1896-1938].
Condition – Generally good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is mostly listed in the „J D Comrie
Family Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman. However, approximately half
of the material is unlisted (noted in the catalogue as
„Miscellaneous additional material‟).
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se3\Sh4)
Current cat. arrangement – The current catalogue is divided under the following
headings: „Correspondence‟; „Writings – Journals‟;
and „Writings – Lectures‟; „Unlisted material‟.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the collection is the
same as that in the catalogue.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Other notes – Although there is a catalogue for this collection
much of the material (4 boxes) is listed as
miscellaneous.
Craig, W. S.
Title – Papers of W. S. Craig
Dates – [1970‟s]
Extent – 12 boxes and 9 volumes
Scope and content – The 9 volumes contain manuscripts, typescripts and
prints of Craig‟s lectures and publications. These are
mainly related to paediatrics and all items in the
volumes are numbered with an index at the back of
the last volume.
The 12 boxes contain material relating to Craig‟s
publication the „History of the Royal College of
Physicians of Edinburgh‟. The material includes
drafts, illustrations, and correspondence, [1970‟s].
Condition – Good (although the boxes the material is stored in
are not acid-free archival quality boxes)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se1\Sh1 – Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – None (the volumes are arranged in order)
Biographical history – None
79
Craigie, Andrew and David
Title – Papers of Andrew and David Craigie
Dates – [1816-1860]
Extent – 1 box and 2 volumes
Scope and content – This collection includes: a book of lecture notes
taken by A[ndrew Craigie], 1816 (in the
Strongroom); observations made by David Craigie
from cases at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1817
(in the Strongroom); Copies of various published
material including Edinburgh Medical and Surgical
Journal, 1822 (in box, Basement 8); various
manuscripts and correspondence of Andrew and
David Craigie including a number of written poems
(in the box in the Archives Store).
Condition – Varying - the contents of the box in the Archives
Store may need attention
Current finding aids – The 2 volumes are listed in the Library Manuscripts
Catalogue under „Craigie‟. The box is unlisted.
Location – The 2 volumes are located in the Strongroom
(B1/Se1/Sh4). The box is located in the Archives
Store (B4/Se4/Sh4).
Current cat. arrangement – N/a
Physical arrangement – None
Biographical history – None
Other notes – The material in the box in the Archives Store is fairly
disorganised and entirely unlisted. It will need some
investigation.
Crofton, John
Title – Papers of Sir John Wenman Crofton
Dates – [1981-2008]
Extent – 12 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes correspondence and
published material (articles, cuttings, pamphlets,
etc.) related to the many projects and activities Sir
John has supported following his retirement from
Edinburgh University (1977) and in his role as
Chairman of the Scottish Health Education
Coordinating Committee (1981-86) such as material
related to health education in the prevention of
smoking-related diseases, on alcohol related
problems and on areas of multiple deprivation. The
collection also includes material related to TB in the
UK and abroad gathered or created after Sir John‟s
retirement from Edinburgh. Lastly, the collection
includes a number of typescript autobiographical
documents recording Sir John‟s professional and
80
personal life including writings by Crofton‟s wife
Eileen.
Condition – Good (stored in archival quality boxes)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5/Se2/Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – Seemingly very little arrangement. Arranged loosely
by subject. Some files, where they all relate to a
particular organisation, are arranged separated into
folders.
Acquired by the Library – [1997-2008]
Cullen, William
Title – Papers of William Cullen (1710-1790)
Dates – [1755-1790]
Extent – Approx. 3 metres
Scope and content – This collection includes: Consultation letters written
from William Cullen, 1768-89; Letters addressed to
Cullen, 1755-90; Letters written by Cullen on issues
other than consultation, 1782; Lecture notes taken by
Cullen, 1765-70.
Condition – Generally good. The extensive series of
correspondence has, at some point recently, been
unbound from its original volumes and repackaged
in new purpose built cases
Current finding aids – This material is listed in the „Manuscript Catalogue‟
under “Cullen, William”.
Location – Strongroom (B1/Se2/Sh4 – B1/Se3/Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – None
Physical arrangement – The material is arranged in the same order in which
it is listed in the „Manuscripts Catalogue‟.
Eastwood, Martin
Title – Papers of Martin Eastwood
Dates – [unknown]
Extent – 1 large box, 2 archival boxes, 1 case
Scope and content – This collection has not yet been investigated
Condition – Seemingly good
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se2\Sh1)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – [unknown]
Biographical history – None
Foulis, James
81
Title – Papers of James Foulis (1846-1901)
Dates – [1865-1919]
Extent – 4 boxes
Scope and content – This collection includes: a small amount of
correspondence, [1885-1890‟s]; anatomical
drawings; articles and addresses, [1882-1900]; a
journal documenting a sealing trip, 1871; notes,
[1867-1900]; writings of others, 1867-1900; and
biographical material, [1867-1919].
Condition – Good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „James
Foulis Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Most of the material of this collection is located in
the Archives Store (B4\Se2\Sh2). The outsize
anatomical drawings (item 1/2 in the JP catalogue),
Foulis‟ diplomas and degrees (item 3/18) and the
certificates and awards of his sister-in-law Carey
Argyll Robertson (item 4/21) are located in Drawer
R3 in the Top Library (the degrees and awards are
amongst the material in the grey box).
Current cat. arrangement – The catalogue is currently arranged under the
following headings: „Correspondence‟, „Drawings‟,
„Articles/Addresses‟; „Writings – Journal‟; „Notes,
etc.‟; „Writings of others‟; „Subject Files –
biographical‟; „Subject Files – Tichborne‟.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the records is in
accordance with the cataloguing arrangement.
Biographical history – [none]
Gilchrist, Rae
Title – Papers of Rae Gilchrist
Dates – [1920‟s – 60‟s]
Extent – 16 boxes
Scope and content – The collection mainly includes: cases from the Royal
Infirmary of Edinburgh, [1920‟s-60‟s];
correspondence (including some related to the visit
of the Queen Mother to the RCPE), [1950‟s]; copies
of speeches; ECG [films]; reprints.
Condition – Good (stored in archival quality boxes)
Current finding aids – None.
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh1-2)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – There is no discernable physical arrangement of the
material.
Acquired by the Library – Unknown
82
Girdwood, Ronald H.
Title – Papers of Ronald H Girdwood
Dates – [1962-95]
Extent – 1 box
Scope and content – Collection mainly contains articles, lecture
transcripts, papers and other writings by Dr
Girdwood on medicine, medical history and the
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. It also
contains documents related to Dr Girdwood‟s travels
and events attended by him.
Condition – Good (stored in archival quality box)
Current finding aids – None. However, a separate contents list has been
drawn up previously [upon acquisition of material?].
There is a copy of this included with the collection.
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – There is no discernable physical arrangement of the
material.
Acquired by the Library – Unknown
Hamilton Family
Title – Papers of the Hamilton family (Thomas Hamilton,
James Hamilton elder, James Hamilton younger, and
William Hamilton)
Dates – [1756-1933]
Extent – 1 box (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project)
Scope and content – The collection consists of the correspondence
(mostly in relation to professional concerns) of the
various members of the Hamilton family.
Condition – Generally good
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Thomas
& William Hamilton Papers‟ catalogue by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – The material is arranged under the names of the
various individuals.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement is the same as that of the
catalogue
Biographical history – [None]
Other notes – The box this collection is housed in also contains the
Charles Stuart collection.
Hamilton, Alexander
83
Title – Papers of Alexander Hamilton (1787-1839)
Dates – [1756-1831]
Extent – 26 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: Correspondence, 1808-31;
Financial material, 1809-31; Family papers, 1756-
1830; Material relating to Lady Portsmouth, 1815-
24; Writings including essays, books, notes and
personal journals, 1803-31.
Condition – Generally good (repackaged as part of the previous
cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the
„Alexander Hamilton Collection‟ catalogue written
by former archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se3\Sh2 – 4)
Current cat. arrangement – The collection is divided under the following
headings: „Correspondence‟; „Correspondence –
Military‟; „Financial – Domestic and General‟;
„Financial – Lady Portsmouth‟; „Financial – Loans,
etc., medical, notes, pension‟; „Financial – Property,
subscriptions‟; „Subject Files – Family Papers‟;
„Subject Files – Lady Portsmouth‟; „Writings –
Books‟; „Writings – Dissertation, essays‟; „Writings
– Lectures‟; „Writings – Notes, pamphlets‟. Under
these headings items are listed individually.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the records is the same
as that of the catalogue
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,000+ words to
about 500 words or less) would serve as a useful
catalogue biographical history.
Lamb, Lindsay
Reference code – GB 585
Title – Papers of Dr Lindsay Lamb
Dates – [1920-1990]
Extent – 4 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: Correspondence [1929-
1990]; Files relating to the life and career of Sir
Derrick Dunlop [1963-1987]; Papers relating to
events, dinners, reunions, etc.; Records relating to Dr
Lamb‟s professional career [1929-1936]; Copies of
draft and published articles by Dr Lamb; Cuttings
and copies of publications; Financial papers [1949-
1988].
Condition – Good
Current finding aids – None. However, a contents list for the collection is
84
included in the boxes. I have attached a copy of this
here which I have amended to include relevant dates
and details of the contents of box 4.
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – The records are in no particular physical order. They
are loosely arranged by record type or theme. It
appears likely that the records are maintained in the
order originally imposed by the creator.
Acquired by the Library – July 2000
Laycock, Thomas
Title – Papers of Sir Thomas Laycock (1812 – 1876)
Dates – [1845-74]
Extent – 23 boxes
Scope and content – The collection includes: Correspondence, [1845-76];
Writings including books, lectures, articles, and
addresses, [1842-76]; Papers, notes, articles, etc. on
various subjects, [1839-75].
Condition – Generally good (repackaged in acid-free boxes as
apart of the previous cataloguing project).
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Thomas
Laycock Collection‟ Catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se1\Sh3-4)
Current cat. arrangement – The collection is divided into two main sections –
„Writings‟ and „Subject Files‟. Within the „Writings‟
section the items are arranged under the following
headings: „Addresses and articles‟; „Books‟;
„Lectures‟; „Miscellaneous and Unidentified‟;
„Additional Material‟. Under these headings are sub-
headings further dividing the material. Within the
„Subject Files‟ section the items are arranged under
the following headings: „Introductory‟; „Circulatory
System‟; „Digestive System and Abdomen‟; „Fevers
and Inflammation‟; „Kidney, Liver, Spleen‟;
„Nervous System and Mental Diseases‟; „Respiratory
System‟; „Skin‟; „Miscellaneous‟. Under these
headings are sub-headings further dividing the
material.
The correspondence is distributed amongst the
„Subject files‟. It is indexed separately in a cross-
reference list in the catalogue.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material is the same
as that of the catalogue.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500+ words to
85
about 500 words or less) would serve as a useful
catalogue biographical history.
Medical Provident Institution
Title – Records of the Medical Provident Institution
Dates – 1825-33
Extent – 2 bound volumes and 2 boxes
Scope and content – Records include: Minute book (1826-33); Letter
Book (1826-33); Loose correspondence (1825-33);
Cash book (1826-33); Bank pass book (1826-33);
Blank cheque book for premium receipts; Original
catalogue of the records of the Institution (1833)
Condition – Good (stored mostly in archival quality boxes)
Current finding aids – The collection – with the exception of the minute
book and letter book, which were, until now, shelved
separately – is listed amongst the College papers in
the Library „Catalogue of College Muniments‟ (see
also footnote 1 overleaf). The minute book and letter
book have recently been investigated separately and
the content of these volumes has been described (see
attached).
Location – The records are in the Archives Store (B3/Se4/Sh2).
Current cat. arrangement – Arranged in Muniments Catalogue according to
original listing.
Physical arrangement – The material (with the exception of that which is
missing) retains its original arrangement as
demonstrated by the original catalogue written by its
depositors included with the collection.
Moir, David M.
Title – Papers of David Macbeth Moir (1798-1851)
Dates – (1831-32)
Extent – 1 box
Scope and content – The contents of the collection relate to D M Moir‟s
work in connection with cholera. The collection
includes correspondence, reports and writings.
Condition – This material is in a generally good condition, stored
in acid free boxes and folders.
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „David M
Moir Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se4\Sh5)
Current cat. arrangement – The catalogue is divided under three headings:
„Correspondence‟, „Writings‟, and „Reports‟.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material is in
accordance with the catalogue arrangement.
86
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,000+ words to
about 500 words or less) would serve as a useful
catalogue biographical history.
Philip, R. W.
Title – Papers of Sir Robert William Philip (1857-1939)
Dates – [1887-1939]
Extent – 7 boxes, 4 bound volumes, 11 boxes of slides, 1
small case
Scope and content – The majority of the collection relates to Philip‟s
work on tuberculosis. The collection includes:
correspondence, 1887-1939; biographical material
(such as job applications, diplomas\degrees\awards,
articles etc.), 1878-1939; articles, reports, etc.
gathered and written for work on TB, 1887-1935;
writings including articles, books, lectures, etc.,
1893-1932; writings by others, 1906-32; various
photographs and lantern slides relating to various
medical topics, [n.d].
Condition – This material is in a generally good condition,
mostly stored in acid free boxes and folders.
Current finding aids – The vast majority of the collection is listed (with the
exception of the 4 bound volumes) in the „R W
Philip Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman. Some of the collection,
however, including the 4 volumes and the material in
the Top Library, doesn‟t appear to be listed.
Location – Archives Store (B4\Se2\Sh3). Much of the Philip
material is located in the drawers of the Top Library
including a number of newspaper articles located in
Drawer R3 and a number of diplomas, degrees, etc.
located in Drawer R8.
Current cat. arrangement – The catalogue is arranged under the following
headings: „Correspondence‟, „Photographs –
Albums‟, „Photographs – Lantern Slides, etc.‟,
„Subject Files (Biographical)‟, „Subject Files (TB)‟,
„Writings – Articles/Addresses‟, „Writings – Books‟,
„Writings – Lectures (Clinical)‟, „Writings –
Lectures, notes of (by others)‟, „Writings – Lectures
and Reports‟ and „Writings (others) – Articles and
Addresses‟.
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of most of the material in
the Archives Store is representative of the catalogue
arrangement. The material in the Top Library is
located in and amongst other unrelated records.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
87
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). An abridged
version of this (cut down from 1,500+ words to
about 500 words or less) would serve as a useful
catalogue biographical history.
Other notes – This collection includes some medical objects and
artefacts.
Poole, Richard
Title – Papers of Richard Poole (1780 – 1870)
Dates – [1682 – 1854]
Extent – 18 boxes
Scope and content – This material includes: correspondence, 1826-54;
numerous reports, articles, lectures, etc. written and
collected on various subjects (arranged by subject).
Condition – This material is in a generally good condition, stored
in acid free boxes and folders.
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Richard
Poole Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – The majority of material is stored in the Archives
Store (B4/S1/Sh1 – Sh2). One item (ref. 41/QQ/1-17
of the JP catalogue - Copy of Edinburgh Evening
Post) is stored in Grey Box, Drawer R3, Top Library
apparently due to its size.
Current cat. arrangement – Currently the catalogue is arranged into four sections
- Correspondence, Subject Files, Writings of RP, and
Writings of others. Most of the material is organised
by subject rather than record type. According to the
existing catalogue „Poole‟s own organisation of his
papers has been retained‟.22
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material in the
Archives Store represents the arrangement of the
catalogue. Items located elsewhere are arranged in
and amongst items from other collections.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 3,000+ words to
about 500 words or less) would serve as a useful
catalogue biographical history.
Pringle, John
Title – Papers of Sir John Pringle
Dates – [1750-1772]
Extent – 14 volumes
22
See Richard Poole Collection (catalogue by Joy Pitman), „Summary‟, (p. 1).
88
Scope and content – This collection includes: Medical annotations, 1752-
77; Pharmaceutical Correspondence, 1771-72;
Formulae of prescriptions, [1750]; Medical
notebook, [1750].
The collection also includes 20th Century material
written about the papers including notes on the
medical notebooks by historians.
Condition – Largely good
Current finding aids – This material is listed in the „Manuscript Catalogue‟
under “Pringle, John”.
Location – Strongroom (B1/Se2/Sh4 – B1/Se3/Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – None
Physical arrangement – The material is arranged in the same order in which
it is listed in the „Manuscripts Catalogue‟.
Russell, Helen
Title – Papers of Helen May Russell
Dates – [1950-1987]
Extent – 2 boxes
Scope and content – Material mainly relating to H M Russell‟s books on
and translations of Maimonides and her books and
articles on C G Jung. Papers include: A book of
notes, a proof and a draft copy of Kings, their Wars
and the Messiah23; A draft copy of The Book of
Knowledge24; an essay on Maimonides (which
formed the introduction to Kings…); Notes and
drafts of her essay Notes on The Letters of C G
Jung25; Notes and drafts of an [unpublished] essay
on the writings of C G Jung [some of which may
have been adapted to form a part of her
autobiographical article The Education of a
Professional Woman, 1915-25 (published
posthumously)26]; Various handwritten note cards on
Maimonides and Jung; A letter from C G Jung on the
biblical account of Lot‟s wife turning to a pillar of
salt, dated 5 March 1951 (this letter was previously
shelved separately in the Strongroom); A folder of
material relating to Helen Russell written or
collected after her death, including a brief biography
written by J P S Ferguson.
23
H M Russell and Rabbi J. Weinberg (translators), Kings, their wars and the Messiah: from the Mishnah Torah
of Maimonides, (Edinburgh: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 1987)
24
H M Russell and Rabbi J. Weinberg (translators), The book of knowledge: from the Mishneh Torah of
Maimonides, (New York: KTAV Publishing House, 1983)
25
H M Russell, „A Note on the Letters of C G Jung‟, in Proceedings of the Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh, vol. 19, 1989, p. 361-6.
26
H M Russell, „The Education of a Professional Woman, 1915-1925‟, in Proceedings of the Royal College of
Physicians of Edinburgh, vol. 18, 1988, p. 290-4.
89
Condition – Good (stored in acid-free boxes)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – Loosely arranged by topic or the particular
publication the material relates to.
Scottish Medical Services Emergency Committee
Title – Records of the Scottish Medical Emergency Service
Committee
Dates – 1914-1919
Extent – Approx. 4 meters of material (60 paper parcels + 3
outsize bound volumes)
Scope and content – The collection includes but is not limited to: Minutes
of the General Scottish Medical Service Emergency
Committee, 1914-19; Minutes of the Executive
Scottish Medical Service Emergency Committee,
1915-19; Correspondence of the SMSEC, 1914-19;
Documents communicated from the Central Medical
War Committee, [1915-19]; Particulars of Civil
Surgeons wishing to apply for temporary
commission to the RAMC; Registration Forms and
Intimation Forms submitted by medical professionals
in response to the request by the SMSEC as part of
the Committee‟s 1916 Medical Registration Scheme
(details of which were later used to compile the
Medical War Register for Scotland in 1916), 1915-
16; [The Medical War Register for Scotland arranged
by Local War Committee and County (written on
individual index cards - one for each medical
professional), 1916-1919]; Local Record of Medical
Practitioners and Whole Time Medical Service
(provides statistics on medical professionals in
Scotland [based on the Medical War Register of
Scotland] arranged by place name), 1916;
Applications for exemption from military service
submitted by medical professionals to the SMSEC,
1916-18; Register of applications for exemption
from military service, 1916-17; Volume of tear-out
„Letters of Excuse‟ issued by the SMSEC on behalf
of medical professionals granted exemption from
service (stubs remain with details of professional
concerned where letter has been removed);
Applications for early demobilization from Medical
Officers, 1918-19; Lists of Medical Officers for
priority release, 1918-19; Lists of Medical Officers
demobilized, 1918-20.
Condition – The material appears to be in a fairly good condition
90
though a little dirty in parts. It is currently stored in
non-archival quality paper packages and it retains all
of the original metal paper clips and pins which have
rusted.
Current finding aids – None (the paper packages are, however, labeled with
a basic description of the contents of each).
Location – Archives Store (B3/ Se2/Sh3–B3/Se3/Sh4).
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement is loosely representative of
the original order. The original filing system is still
recognisable in the classification of records. For
example, correspondence is arranged by
correspondent and is still kept in the original paper
files with the name of the correspondent written at
the top. Also, the returned registration and intimation
forms distributed to doctors in 1915-16 are still
largely grouped together (with some separate
bundles located amongst other file types). The
material was repackaged in around 1995 into modern
paper file packages. These are labeled with a
summary of the contents. However, there is some
overlap and disorganisation amongst these files.
Scottish Thoracic Society
Title – Records of the Scottish Thoracic Society
Dates – [1921-1977]
Extent – 9 boxes
Scope and content – Material includes: Finance and Accounts related
material including receipt books for subscriptions,
cheques, vouchers, income and expenditure
accounts, bank statements, cash books and ledgers
[1921-77]; Files related to membership including
proposals of membership, member lists and
subscription details; Various Society correspondence
including correspondence with the British
Tuberculosis Association; Files related to Society
meetings including notifications of attendance and
correspondence with organizers and hosts; Various
billets including memoranda, meeting
announcements, etc.; papers of Dr. J. G. Stevenson
including correspondence and a small collection of
draft papers/articles [1975-77].
Condition – This material appears to be in a relatively good
condition. It is mostly stored in archival quality acid-
free boxes (one box of the nine is not archival
quality).
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B3/Se3/Sh5).
91
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – The material is largely arranged by file type or
subject with no real order or structure.
Society for Improving the Conditions of the Insane
Title – Records of the Society for Improving the Conditions
of the Insane
Dates – 1819-65
Extent – 4 boxes
Scope and content – This collection includes: General correspondence,
1842-65; Treasurers vouchers, receipts, etc., [1855-
58]; Minute book, [1842-64]; Material issued by
various asylums, [1826-64]; Material received in
connection with the essay competitions including
essay manuscripts, 1843-56; Material relating to
investigations into various asylums, 1829-57;
Material relating to various individual cases, 1836-
57; Various articles, pamphlets, etc., 1819-63.
Condition – This material is in a generally good condition and is
housed in archival quality acid free boxes
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Society
for Improving the Conditions of the Insane‟
catalogue written by former archivist Joy Pitman
Location – Archives Store (B3/Se4/Sh1).
Current cat. arrangement – The current catalogue is arranged into 9 „sections‟.
There is no indication in the catalogue as to whether
or not this arrangement reflects the original order
that the Society itself imposed on its records.
However, the „sections‟ identified are quite
understandable and navigable.
Physical arrangement – The material is currently arranged in an order
reflective of the current catalogue arrangement.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 3,750 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Smith, Sydney A
Title – Papers of Sir Sydney A Smith (1883 – 1969)
Dates – [1887 – 1962]
Extent – 41 boxes
Scope and content – This material includes correspondence, photographs,
research material gathered under subject files,
writings by Sydney A Smith and writings by others.
Condition – This material is in a generally good condition, stored
92
in acid free boxes and folders.
Current finding aids – The collection is listed in its entirety in the „Sydney
A Smith Collection‟ catalogue written by former
archivist Joy Pitman.
Location – The majority of material is stored in the Archives
Store (B3/Se4/Sh2 – B4/Se1/Sh1). An item from ref.
21/165 of the JP catalogue (photograph of body of
woman in connection with Sathavism case) and an
item from ref. 16/137 (plan of farmyard in
connection with George Kitchen case) are stored in
Grey Box, Drawer R3, Top Library apparently due to
their size.
Current cat. arrangement – Currently the catalogue is arranged into five sections
Correspondence, Photographs, Subject Files,
Writings of SAS, and Writings of others. According
to the information given in the existing catalogue the
current cataloguing arrangement „is principally the
same as that in which [the records] were found on
arrival at the College, and that which presumably
represents Sir Sydney‟s own filing‟.27
Physical arrangement – The physical arrangement of the material in the
Archives Store represents the arrangement of the
catalogue. Items located elsewhere are arranged in
and amongst items from other collections.
Biographical history – An extensive biographical history is provided in the
JP catalogue (under „Introduction‟). A very abridged
version of this (cut down from 2,500 words to about
500 words or less) would serve as a useful catalogue
biographical history.
Strong, John Anderson
Title – Papers of John Anderson Strong
Dates – [unknown]
Extent – 44 boxes, 2 large boxes, 2 file cases, and pile of
loose material
Scope and content – This collection has not yet been investigated
Condition – Seemingly good (the collection is stored in large
packing boxes which are not archival quality and
which are rather cumbersome)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se2\Sh4 – B5\Se3\Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – [unknown]
Biographical history – None
27
See Sydney A Smith Collection (catalogue by Joy Pitman), „Arrangement of the Collection‟, (p. 7).
93
Walker, Sir Norman
Title – Papers of Sir Norman Walker
Dates – [1920-1931]
Extent – Much loose material and 1 small box
Scope and content – The loose material consists of papers seemingly
collected by Sir Norman Walker relating to the
Consultative Council on Medical and Allied Services
(1920) – which produced the MacAlister report – and
the Hospital Services Scotland Committee (1924) –
which produced the Mackenzie Report (1926).
The box contains correspondence received by Sir
Norman Walker in relation to his role as the
President of the RCPE (although most of the material
is addressed to his home address).
Condition – Reasonable (the majority of the material has no
packaging)
Current finding aids – None
Location – Archives Store (B5\Se2\Sh2)
Current cat. arrangement – n\a
Physical arrangement – None
Biographical history – None
Wilson, John B
Title – Papers of John B Wilson
Dates – [1972-2000]
Extent – 1 box
Scope and content – The collection contains correspondence and other
material related to various articles by J B Wilson on
historical medical figures.
Condition – Good (stored in archival quality box)
Current finding aids – None, although there is a typed list of files with the
collection
Location – Archives Store (B4/Se4/Sh3)
Current cat. arrangement – n/a
Physical arrangement – The material is organised in folders arranged by the
subject of the article, e.g. „Dr James Mounsey‟ or
„Dr Benjamin Bell‟.
Other notes – One of the files listed on the contents list in the box
(„4. Various Russian Papers‟) appears to be missing.
Acquired by the Library – November 2001 (Donated by Dr Wilson)
94
95
8.5 Example accession form
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH ARCHIVE
ACCESSION FORM
Date received: Accession No (should take the form Is the deposit a gift or a loan?
Acc.[year]/[number] e.g. Acc.2009/1):
Title:
Creator:
Gifted/donated by (name, address and any contact details):
Possible access restrictions: Current location (room and shelf Total Size (in shelf metres or
number): physical units e.g. boxes):
General description and condition of material: Does the depositor wish to place
restrictions on the use of the
collection? Y/N Details:
Specific Description of Material:
Type Amount Type Amount
Audio Recordings __________ Photographs __________
Bound Volumes __________ Microfilm __________
Storage Boxes __________ Movie Film __________
Newspapers __________ Scrapbooks __________
Maps __________
Other ______________________________
Arrangement of Material:
Alphabetic Chronologic Numeric
Topical (subject) Not arranged Other _______________
Approximate inclusive dates: Accessioned by: Date of accession:
Additional comments:
96
