Blogs

Euan Bowman has been working on placement in the RCP Heritage Library during his PhD studies, as part of the London Arts and Humanities Partnership placements scheme. In this post, he writes about some of what he’s found in the library.

Discover Juan Valverde’s beautifully illustrated Anatomia, published in the 16th century. Find out how this remarkable anatomical book was repaired and preserved after 400+ years of use through the RCPs Adopt a Treasure scheme.

How did surgeons learn before videos and 3D models?

Published in 1724, Lorenz Heister’s book Chirurgie used clear explanations and beautiful copperplate engravings to teach anatomy, surgical instruments and operating methods.

Discover its story and how you can support its conservation

This Zero HIV Stigma Day we look back at interviews with Dame Anne Johnson and Lord Norman Fowler about their time working in healthcare during the early day of HIV and AIDS. 

Artist Karl Simmons has been working with the RCP garden since 2021, producing sketches and drawings for the garden's publications as well as for three calendars. 

Karl has officially been appointed artist in residence for 2025-2027. Read on to learn more about Karl.

As the exhibiton A Body of Knowledge nears the end of its run (closing day is 23 July 2026!), Rare Books Librarian and curator of the exhibition, Katie Birkwood, reflects on the books that didn't quite make it into the exhibition. 

Every year the Archives, Heritage Library and Museum's volunteers contribute hundreds of hours to enriching the our services and helping preserve the RCP's rich heritage. Read on for a snippet of what they have been up to this past year.  

A look back at two fascinating talks we had in December 2025 on recent research into how we investigate the history of libraries with doctoral research Samantha Brown and Dr Alice Wickenden.

As part of our recently launched Adopt a Treasure scheme, we are starting a series of blogs looking into the objects themselves and delving into the conservation process that the generous donations received through the scheme have funded. Today's batch of items are all works on paper. 

Have you ever wondered what languages the books in the RCP library are written in? With the help of staff and volunteers, Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian, Katie Birkwood, can now answer that question.