The MedChi Library was established in 1791 and rapidly grew until by the end of the 19th century it was one of the great collections of medical literature. Its use then declined as it was replaced, for up-to-date information, by the University Library. In 1967 a large part of the library was sold at Sotheby’s, but much local material was retained. Items continue to be added through the generosity of members and friends and there is now a valuable collection of books and articles relating to medical history, particularly local.
The late Dr Ian Porter, the Society’s Librarian from 1970 to 1980, left a large and valuable collection of books and papers to the library. These have been catalogued separately as the Ian Porter Collection.
Manuscript material includes:
- A complete set of minutes from 1789;
- Volumes of papers delivered to the Society from 1789 onwards;
- Manuscript volumes of text-books and student’s notes from 1776;
- 60 Volumes of records of his military service kept by Sir James McGrigor, including his account of the Peninsular Campaign when he was Director-General of the Medical Services.
There is also a large collection of medical instruments and other artifacts dating back to the 18th century.
Archive Collections
Some of the Society’s rich and unique collection of papers has been catalogued. A grant was received from the Wellcome Trust to catalogue records of the Society. Working in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen’s Special Libraries and Archives department, the catalogue was made searchable online via the University’s CALM collection management system.
The papers of Sir James McGrigor (1771-1858), who was instrumental in founding the Society and eventually became Director-General of the Army Medical Department, can now be accessed online. The Society’s archive collection also includes a complete series of minute books dating from 1789, accounts, case books, lecture notes and a series of thesauri containing the discourses of members from the early years of the Society.
As a result of this project, the Society’s contribution to the provision of medical training, the championing of radical public health measures and the establishment of hospitals and their services within the community will be brought to the attention of those interested in the history of medicine with the intention of stimulating further research into this important and varied collection of papers.
Other material of medical interest can be found elsewhere in the university’s Special Collections and Oral History site. The university lists Medical resources in its Special Collections.
We are always pleased to receive new additions to the archive. To have items considered please download the following acquistion form.
