An opportunity to contribute towards the
history and development of psychiatry
Adopt-a-Book
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is inviting
you to donate towards the conservation and repair of its
antiquarian book collection.
The Collection
The
College has a large collection of antiquarian books, with some
dating as far back as the 15th century. Most of the books were
donated to the College in 1895 in the form of donations from the
libraries of doctors Daniel Hack Tuke, J Lord, C Lockhart Robertson
and J Whitwell. The collection is an important source of
information on the history and development of the medical
descipline of psychiatry.
What is covered?
The collection is a great source of
information on the study of psychiatry, subjects
covered include:
- The structure, functions and diseases of the
brain;
- Causes and cures of nervous
disorders;
- Administration of asylums;
- Philosophy and anatomy of sleep;
- Causes, prevention and treatment of mental
disorders;
- Habitual drunkeness
The collection contains books written by
notable authors, such as Daniel Hack Tuke, Forbes Winslow, Henry
Maudsley, John Connolly, Emil Kraepelin and many others.
The appeal
The appeal for donations is directed
at anyone who is interested in restoring and conserving the
collection to a condition suitable for its use by
researchers, historians, and members of the public.It is also
directed at those who are interested in preserving the
collection as part of our national heritage.
Making a donation
All those interested in making a donation need
to select a book from a list of books to be adopted. The list will
give details about the conservation requirements and the cost of
repairing that book. However, sponsors are free to donate part of
the total cost. This will result in them sharing the adoption of
that book with other donors.
Sponsors who donate the full amount
necessary for the restoration of any book, or £100 or more towards
a restoration, will have a specially inscribed bookplate
placed in their adopted book. Bookplates will either carry the
donor’s name or could be dedicated in the memory of friend or
family member. (See the designs here).
Restored Books
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.jpg "Book 3") |
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1.jpg "Stripy book") |
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Box for: Gordonius, B. (1559) Bern. Gordonii opus, lilium
medicinae inscriptum de morborum prope omnium curatione. |
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Cheyne, J (1843) Essays in partial derrangement of the mind
in supposed connection with religion. |
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A Sane Patient (1879) My experiences in a Lunatic
Asylum. |
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Contact
For a list of the books available to be
adopted, and donation forms, please see the above links. Or, for
more information contact The Archivist, Francis
Maunze, at the following address:
Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PG
Tel: 020 7235 2351 x6169