If you are one for a little light reading, why not visit the RCSI Heritage Collections webpage where you can now find a transcription of the entire charter granted to the College by George III in 1784.
In 1765 Sylvester O'Halloran, a surgeon from Limerick, had proposed a College of Surgeons in Ireland along the lines of the College de St. Cosme in Paris, which had been regulating French surgery since its creation by royal charter by Louis IX in 1255. The Dublin Society of Surgeons was founded in 1780 at The Elephant public house on Essex Street (now Parliament Street). Surgery in Ireland was without regulation.
In 1765 Sylvester O'Halloran, a surgeon from Limerick, had proposed a College of Surgeons in Ireland along the lines of the College de St. Cosme in Paris, which had been regulating French surgery since its creation by royal charter by Louis IX in 1255. The Dublin Society of Surgeons was founded in 1780 at The Elephant public house on Essex Street (now Parliament Street). Surgery in Ireland was without regulation.
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| Top page of the RCSI Charter |
The main goals of the society were to separate from the barbers and provide surgical education in Ireland. They lobbied for a royal charter in 1781 and presented the Lord Lieutenant with their petition. Finally a charter was granted by King George III on 11 February 1784 establishing the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The first President was Samuel Croker-King (1728-1817) and the first Professor of Surgery was William Dease (1752-1798)
The Charter itself has under gone conservation work in the last year. John Gillis, an internationally respected conservator, carried out the work. The Charter is made of two large sheets of vellum, one sitting on top of the other. They are joined at the bottom and has a royal wax seal that was attached by coloured ribbons.
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| Bottom page of the RCSI Charter |
The Charter itself has under gone conservation work in the last year. John Gillis, an internationally respected conservator, carried out the work. The Charter is made of two large sheets of vellum, one sitting on top of the other. They are joined at the bottom and has a royal wax seal that was attached by coloured ribbons.
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| Wax seal from the RCSI Charter |
Vellum is
calf skin and a smooth durable material used for legal and important documents.
The cresses and damage to the folded Charter over the past 250 years had to be
removed during conservation. The Charter was stretched and pegged to a large
board. Moisture was applied to help the vellum become more supple and easier to
handle. The Charter was also cleaned and repaired where necessary. Today the
Charter has been restored to its original elegance and beauty.
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| Entire transcription of the RCSI Charter |
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy