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History of the College
Origins and history of the College including the union of the Fellowship of Surgeons and the Company of Barbers by Henry VIII in 1540 to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons. The new address at Lincoln's Inn fields coincided with the government placing into the care of the College the writings and specimen collection of John Hunter (1728-1793), a surgeon regarded as one of the most distinguished scientists of his day.
The origins of the College lie in the union of the Fellowship of Surgeons and the Company of Barbers by Henry VIII in 1540 to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons. They maintained a somewhat uneasy partnership in the 16th and 17th centuries when the degree of surgical intervention was limited.
The Battle of the Barbers and Surgeons, 18th c. caricature
The 18th century, however, saw the rise of private anatomy schools and the development of an academic basis for surgical practice through the teaching and publications of the leading European surgeons. As a consequence, the number and importance of surgeons increased, along with a firm desire for independent professional recognition.
John Hunter, a pencil drawing by George Dance dated 1793
Thus, in 1745, the surgeons broke away from the barbers to form a separate Company of Surgeons, with its own hall close to the Old Bailey and Newgate Prison. In 1797, the surgeons moved away from the City to property purchased in Lincoln's Inn Fields. This coincided with the government placing into the care of the College the writings and specimen collection of John Hunter (1728-1793), a surgeon regarded as one of the most distinguished scientists of his day.
In 1800, the Company of Surgeons was granted a Royal Charter to become The Royal College of Surgeons in London, later of England.
A new College building was built to provide lecture theatres, meeting rooms and accommodation for the Hunterian Collection. Although the buildings have been replaced, the College occupies the same site today.
The College Arms of 1822
Further charters over the years have modified the constitution to reflect changing needs, including the foundation of the Faculties of Anaesthetists (now a separate Royal College), Dental Surgery, General Dental Practice and Accident & Emergency Medicine.
The College is governed by a President and Council of elected Fellows and invited representatives. A separate Court of Examiners conducts examinations. The College participates in The Forum of Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland which co-ordinates certain professional activities and national bodies.
