Munk's Roll

The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London, commonly referred to as Munk's Roll, is a series of published works containing biographical entries of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians. The Roll has been continued, and has been published in eleven volumes (until 2004). The twelfth in electronic form, post 2004. The work has been reproduced in multiple editions. From 1860 to today, the work is compiled by the Librarians of the College.

History

Munk's Roll was initially the work of the College's Harveian Librarian, William Munk.

The first published volume (1861) was originally prepared as manuscript in three large volumes with no thought to publication; with each volume of the manuscript being presented to the College library upon its completion. Of the manuscripts, the first volume was from the foundation of the College to 1600 (completed March 1855), the second covered 1601 to 1700 (completed December 1855), and the third volume 1701-1800 (completed in June 1856). The Council of the College, at the instigation of some influential Fellows, expressed the view in December 1860 that the work be published, and it subsequently was in 1861.[1][2]

The initial publication was in 1861, and contained past fellows and licentiates from 1518 to 1800. In 1878, the third volume was produced as part of the second edition, and again overseen by Munk, extended the dates of biographies to 1825. The work was set out in chronological order with an index at the front of both volumes.

Subsequent editions focused on fellows of the College, post 1825, which reflects the increasing qualifications and professionalism of physicians through the 19th century, and were entitled Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London.[3]

Volumes
  • Volume 1, from 1518 to 1700
  • Volume 2, from 1701-1800
  • Volume 3, 1801-1825
  • Volume 4, 1826-1925
  • Volume 5, 1926-1965
  • Volume 6, 1966–1975, published 1982 (ed. Gordon Wolstenholme)[4]
  • Volume 7, 1976–1983, published 1984 (ed. Gordon Wolstenholme)[4]
  • Volume 8, 1984-1988
  • Volume 9, 1989-1993
  • Volume 10, 1994-1997
  • Volume 11, 1998-2004

The Roll today

The Roll is being reproduced by the Royal College of Physicians, and has become an invaluable biographical resource for those interested in medical and social history, and family historians. All the printed volumes are now available online, and the Roll is regularly updated with new obituaries of fellows.

References
  1. Munk, William (1878). "Preface to the first edition". The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians at London. 1 (2 ed.). London: Royal College of Physicians. p. viii. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  2. "RCP Heritage : Lives of the fellow". London: Royal College of Physicians. 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  3. "AIM25 collection description". Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  4. Bynum, W. F. (1985). "Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians (Munk's Roll)". Med. Hist. 29 (1): 100–101. doi:10.1017/s0025727300043805. PMC 1139487.
  • Munk's Roll — searchable database at the Royal College of Physicians
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