RCSI Heritage Collections

Among the antiquarian books in the RCSI Heritage Collections are those kept together in a special collection named for the surgeons to whom they once belonged. Their lives and their books are outlined here. 'Handbook of Operative Surgery' Sir William de Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943) William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (1844–99) and Sir William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943), father and son, both became presidents of RCSI in 1884 and 1922 respectively. William Wheeler senior was surgeon to the Royal City of Dublin Hospital in Baggot Street; he published many articles and devised instruments for the treatment of hare-lip. Richard Butcher, his contemporary and colleague, send him so much work that the students called Wheeler ‘the butcher’s boy’. Sir William Ireland de Courcy Wheeler (the son) was surgeon to Mercer’s Hospital. His reputation as an operator and teacher was such that he was referred to as ‘the man who made Mercer’s’. He p...

The RCSI Heritage Collections are extremely grateful to our colleagues in the Heritage Centre of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland for providing us with an amazing image of Butcher's much lauded about biceps! WARNING  This image may cause fainting in those of a weak disposition Butcher drawing the long bow RCPI/VM/1/2/B/47 - Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy

Early in his career, and for many subsequent years, Mr. Butcher excited the admiration of medical students by exhibitions of his muscular development. He was wont to roll up his shirt-sleeves before operating, thereby exposing to view biceps of much more than average proportions. His dark c omplexion, well-oiled, raven black, long hair and good features rendered his appearance remarkable. - Sir Charles A. Cameron Upon reading this description of Richard George Herbert Butcher, President of the RCSI 1866-67, the Heritage Collections couldn't help but find out more about this Irish surgeon. Richard George Butcher (1819-1891) Butcher was born on 19th April 1819 in Danesfort, Killarney to a family of English origin. He was 1 of 13 children born to Vice-Admiral Samuel Butcher and Elizabeth Herbert. butcher received his primary eduction in Hamblin's and Porter's School in Cork. He began his medical studies under John Woodroffe in the Cork School of Medicine. After two ...