RCSI Heritage Collections

From Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 The manuscript note above is written on the first page of the Heritage Collections Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918 . A bold statement considering it is written on a book containing the names of numerous fallen soldiers of the First World War. The Heritage Collections holds a full set, consisting of 8 volumes, of these memorial records. One of the few that still exists today. A number of volumes recently under went conservation work and have now been fully restored. These volumes record and preserve over 49,000 names of Irishmen who lost their lives fighting in World War I. Foreword from Vol. I of Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918   The Committee of the Irish National War Memorial compiled and published these volumes in 1923. Each volume is richly illustrated by the delicate brush of Irish artist Harry Clarke. Clarke's stained glass and illustrations were always tinged with sorrow....

You will be glad to hear that after an unscheduled break in posts the  RCSI Heritage Collections blog is back.  These guys, well some of them, certainly are! RCSI Second Year Students and Staff from 1952-53 During our hiatus International Archives Day was celebrated around the world. The International Council of Archives invited archival institutes to submit an image linked to the locality in which they worked. All these images were then uploaded on to the International Archives Day website. Take a browse through the amazing variety of material that is housed and cared for in archives from the four corners of the globe! - Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy

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