Blogs

Katie Birkwood, rare books and special collections librarian, explores the medical uses of radioactive mud.

Tucked away in the stairwell below reception, two long stained-glass windows catch the light. Incorporated into the modern glass are historic coats of arms from the Royal College of Physicians’ former headquarters at Pall Mall East (1825–1964). The coats of arms commemorate former RCP presidents and other significant figures from the College’s past. Senior Curator Elizabeth Douglas investigates the disturbing legacy of one of these coats of arms.

The Museum is delighted to announce two new acquisitions!

Collections Officer Catrina Brizzi takes us through a brief history of the language of silver hallmarks, following an exciting discovery in the Treasures Room.

What is often referred to as galenic medicine survived as a working medical system from the time of the ancient Greeks to the start of the industrial era. Galen’s four humours were embedded in a medical and philosophical system of interactions between elements that made up the world. This holistic model emphasised balance and harmony as the basis for health. Archive Manager, Pamela Ford, tells us more.

On 22-23 October 2024, Katie Birkwood (Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian) and Felix Lancashire (Assistant Archivist) from the RCP Archives, Heritage Library and Museum Services team attended the Queer Heritage and Collections Network Symposium. We heard presentations from many organisations about the fantastic work being done around the country to better integrate queer (LGBTQ+) history into the wider work of the heritage sector. We will work to implement the lessons learned into how we collect, interpret, and present the RCP’s history.

Discover recent research into the fascinating resource of historic recipe books from across Europe with Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex Dr Lisa Smith and PhD researcher Finn Manders. 

Ideas for your festive menus from the recipe books in our ‘Healing words’ exhibition.

22 November 2024 marks the 160th birthday of Dr Rukhmabai Raut, the second Indian woman to practice Western Medicine and a campaigner for women's rights.

A recently catalogued set of records relating to the design of dwellings reveal the RCP’s involvement in tensions behind the scenes of the post-WWII housing debate.