Louella Vaughan and Richard Thompson

The Royal College of Physicians celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2018 and to observe this landmark it published a series of ten books. Each of the books focuses on fifty elements that have contributed to making the RCP what it is today, together adding up to 500 reflections on 500 years. Some of the people, ideas, objects and manuscripts featured are directly connected to the RCP, while others have had an influence that can still be felt in its work.

In this sequel to book 6, Dr Vaughan and her co-author, Sir Richard Thompson, select a further 50 vivid episodes to complete this unique account of the College’s history, from the turbulent times following the Restoration to the twentieth century and the inception of the NHS.

Other books in the series

Anatomy of a building  Rowan Moore

A garden of medicinal plants  Henry Oakeley, Jane Knowles, Michael de Swiet and Anthony Dayan

Quacks, rogues and charlatans  Paul Strathern

Physicians and war  Humphrey Hodgson and Simon Shorvan

Curiosities from the College museum  Richard Thompson

Grave and learned men: the physicians 1518-1660  Louella Vaughan

Physicians and their images  Ludmilla Jordanova

Simples and rarities suitable and honourable to the College - Alastair Compston

Physicians and global health - Krishna Chinthapalli