RCSI Heritage Collections

It's fast approaching exactly 100 years since the start of the Great War. A war that saw numerous atrocities and millions die in battle. Large numbers of staff and students from the College went over to play their part in the effort to save some of these lives. One man, Professor of Surgery, at the time went and was lucky enough to return after the war in 1918. His name was George Jameson Johnston . George Jameson Johnston (1866 - 1926) Johnston was born in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, in April 1866. He attended the Royal School in his town before entering Trinity College. Even though he took his courses in Trinity Johnston chose to take his medical degrees from the Royal University. He was First of First Honourmen and First-class Exhibitioner at his B.A examination. He was also First Honourman in Anatomy and Prizeman in Midwifery in Trinity. Johnston, before and after qualification, conducted large private classes or what we would know as 'grinds' now. He graduate M....

The TV series Penny Dreadful aired last night on Sky Atlantic and what an opening episode! Between vampires living in sewers underneath 1890s London to Victor Frankenstein's lab full of the College's antique medical instruments, it's definitely one to watch. Part of Victor Frankenstein's lab in the TV series 'Penny Dreadful' - Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy

RCSI Museum circa 1900s Museum's full of curious specimens, eerie skeletons and natural wonders are fascinating. A fascination that has been awoken in younger generations through the captivating TV programmes by David Attenborough. The College housed quite a large museum and was even pronounced as 'one of the most valuable in Europe' by Friedrich Tiedemann and Jules Cloquet  in the 1800s. In 1820 the College decided to establish a museum on a level par with the scale of their other departments. A committee was formed and they were empowered to appoint a Curator at once. Candidates for the position of Curator had to exhibit specimens of their work.    Shekleton's mercurial specimen Baby orangutan skeleton E.a.90 A young anatomist named John Shekleton presented his specimen of a mercurial injection of the lymphatics of the lower extremity which, it has been said, excited the wonder of all who saw it. This specimen is still on view in the Anatomy ...

The surgical skills needed to remove, rebuild and reconstruct a persons face after major surgery have been perfected over the centuries. When these surgical techniques and skills were being discovered there were no small incisions, cameras or keyhole surgery! To see the before and after of major surgery is something we can easily do now through magazines, the internet, newspapers etc. What about in 1869? Enter:  Maurice Henry Collis Maurice Henry Collis presented a photograph album to the RCSI in 1869 which contains before and after photographs of numerous surgical reconstructions carried out by Collis. In 1867 Collis successfully removed an enormous ossified enchondroma from the left side of Mr. Battersby's face. Mr. Battersby was a well known individual in Dublin whose tumour had been growing for 20 years. Mr. Battersby before his surgery (RCSI/IP/Collis/1) Mr. Battersby after his surgery (RCSI/IP/Collis/1) It is not known what year Collis wa...

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 ...

The RCSI Heritage Collections are delighted to announce that another two decades of  the  Roll of Licentiates, years 1870 to 1890, are now available online A well known licentiate and Fellow of the College who graduated in 1877 and whose signature can be see in the newly released Ro ll of Licentiates documents is John Freeman Knott (1853-1921). Signature of John Freeman Knott in the RCSI Roll of Licentiates May 1877 Knott was a prolific author of medical reviews and articles, producing over 2,000 from 1880 to 1920. The variety of topics touched on by Knott ranged from Jonathan Swift's death mask to matted hair specimens to spontaneous combustion! Many medical historians and Knott's own contemporaries would use the word 'eccentric' to describe him. Legend has it that Knott was seeking entrance to the College through the front door in 1916 as he wanted to continue research he was conducting. He was unaware that a revolution was happening in the streets of Dublin ...