Early History of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Abstract

Factors that led to the award of the College’s Royal Charter . The definitive history of the College written in 1976 by Craig runs to over 1,100 pages, and that by Ritchie in 1899 is also substantial.1 It is unlikely therefore that this account could be other than a very brief chronology of the principal events associated with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh between the early 17lh century and the present time. While the College eventually received its Royal Charter in 1681 this was only after three previous abortive attempts had been made in 1617, 1630 and again in 1656. These various attempts were each made by small groups of dedicated physicians, all of whom had received their medical training on the Continent. On returning to Edinburgh, they particularly wished to elevate the status of their city, and the standard of medical practice in Scotland, but particularly in Edinburgh and its surrounding area. They were certainly aware that the standard of medical practice was without question far lower than it was on the Continent and even in England at that time. The award of a Royal Charter would also undoubtedly elevate the status of the Physicians as a corporate entity from the others that practised medicine in the same area. The Physicians in Edinburgh also believed that they would be in a similar position to their clinical brethren in London who had received their Royal Charter in 1518. Considerable difficulties were encountered over the years, however, before the Edinburgh physicians successfully obtained their Royal Charter. These came from a number of quarters, but particularly from the Edinburgh Surgeons, from the Church, from factions within the Town Council and from the University.