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 RCPI History of Medicine Research Award is now open.  Get writing!

While out in the field military medics needed concise and to the point medical reference books. Step forward the Oxford War Primers and  Military Medical Manuals series. These books were produced as an aid to all medical personnel who were working under the harshest condition during wartime. The Oxford War Primers were printed during the First World War by Oxford University Press. They contained much-needed medical information for those in the field. They were small, easy to transport and hard wearing. Some of the topics covered by these practical books can be seen below The Military Medical Manual were produced under the guardianship of Sir Alfred Keogh, Director-General of the Medical Services of the British Army. Keogh was born in Dublin on 3rd July 1857. He studied at Queen's College, Galway and Guy's Hospital London qualifying M.D., M.Ch., R.U.I from the Royal University of Ireland in 1878. Keogh joined the army as a surgeon in 1880 and...

' He [Sir Thomas Myles] attained enormous strength and was a  sufficiently skilled boxer to fight a few rounds with the  heavy-weight champion, John L. Sullivan. ' John L. Sullivan , aka the Boston Strong Boy, was quite the formidable opponent for a surgeon to step into the ring with. But Sir Thomas Myles was no ordinary surgeon.   Myles was born in Limerick on 20th April 1857 to a family long associated with that city. He began his school life in Limerick which with time took him to Trinity College Dublin, Vienna and the Richmond Hospital. Myles graduated from Trinity in 1881 with his M.B. and B.Ch. That same year he was chosen to be Resident Surgeon in Dr. Steevens' Hospital. Widdess tells us 'His magnificent physique and attainments as an amateur heavy-weight boxer were to sustain his in an arduous duty, which in addition to the other more usual ones, was imposed upon him by the Governors - to keep order amongst the resident pupils.'  Sir Tho...

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....