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Papers of Sir Robert Christison (1797-1882), 1822-1887

 Sub-Fonds — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Coll-1817/2

Scope and Contents

This sub-fonds consists of the papers of Sir Robert Christison (1797-1882), toxicologist and physician, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (1838/40 and 1846/48) and President of the British Medical Association (1875).

  1. Manuscript notebooks for autobiography (4 notebooks)
  2. Notes of highland expeditions and holidays, etc. 1854-1881 (Skye with Dr Sharpey, 1854; Braemar with James Syme, 1857; Ben Lomond, 1865; Arrochar etc. 1866; Cobbler etc., 1869; Memorabilia at Loch-Goil-Head, 1870; Loch Goil, 1871; Memorabilia at Loch-Goil-Head, 1872; Island of May, 1872; Lochwood, 1873; Memorabilia at St Fillans, 1874; Trossachs, 1875; St Fillans 1876; Arrochar, 1877; At Ballachulish in 1880 and 1881 (notebook)
  3. Diaries (1866-1871; 'Diary part of 1879-1880')
  4. Medical ('Student's Journal' and 'Scraps' notebooks containing notes taken in Paris in 1820; and private practise medical case book, 1867-1877)
  5. Photograph album, 1860s (Includes photos of Sir Robert Christison, David Christison, Marion Augusta Christison (daughter of Sir Alexander Christison), James D. Forbes (Principal of St Andrews University), W. E. Gladstone (rector of Edinburgh University, 1862), James Syme, Wilhelm Haidinger & family, Prof. & Mrs John Hughes Bennett, Edwin Chadwick, W. P. Alison, William Turner (Professor of Anatomy), etc.
  6. Letters to his son, Alexander and daughter-in-law, Annie in India, 1857-1881
  7. Early letters, Dumbarton and Paris, 1815-1820
  8. Letter from Gladstone, including appointment as Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, 1822
  9. Letters to David Christison, 1855-1875
  10. Miscellaneous correspondence, newspaper cuttings. etc, 1810s-1870s. Includes an essay entitled 'A Short Statement of Medical Legislation, in connexion [sic] with hostility of Scotch Corporation to University. Historical evidence of right of Universities to grant degrees in Surgery'.'
  11. Testimonial letters, 1821. Includes testimonials by Prof. Robert Jameson, Andrew Duncan, Jnr., etc.
  12. Newspaper reviews of Sir R. Christison’s autobiography. 1886-18/87
  13. Monetary accounts; purchase of 40 Moray Place, will 1881, etc.
  14. Diplomas and honours, certificates, 1821-1880
  15. Mathematical notebook, 1814.
  16. General description of some hills in neighbourhood of Edinburgh by Robert Jameson (ms copy).
  17. 1873 notebook. Fossil trees at Craigleith, 1877, etc. (Green notebook)
  18. Promoters address to the graduates 1836. (Miniature writing)
  19. History of the contest for the Principalship, 1868.
  20. Papers relating to the baronetcy.
  21. Meteorological Notes, 1862-1875.
  22. President’s address to the British Medical Association, 1875.
  23. Notebook entitled 'Salmon disease', containing newspaper cuttings, 1879-1880
  24. History of the Chair of Theory of Music, etc.
  25. Notebook entitled 'Perishable, N.B. No care’, containing manuscript poetry etc.
  26. Geology of Ben Nevis by Rev. Thomas Macknight, 1810 (ms. copy)
  27. Manuscript 'Rocks of Ben Nevis', 1882.
  28. Poetical account of the Fortingall yew.
  29. Public dinner in honour of Sir Robert Christison, 1872. (x2 printed copies)
  30. Obituary notice of Sir Robert Christison and Sir Wyville Thomson, 1882. (Reprint).
  31. Menu of Christison Jubilee in the Douglas Hotel, 1872.
  32. 'In memoriam, Sir Robert Christison, 1882' (reprinted from Edin. Med. J.)
  33. Photographic portraits, c. 1840s-1860s. (x4)
  34. Photograph of bust in the University.
  35. Bound volume of correspondence re. medical jurisprudence, chemical substances, 1831-1837.
  36. Bound volume of newspaper cuttings, 1865-c.1870.
  37. Photograph album, c.1860s. (Christison and Beddoe families, etc.)
  38. Edinburgh University Club of London. Certificate of honour, 1872.
  39. Medico Psychological Association. Certificate of honour, 1880
  40. Medico Surgical Society of London. Certificate of honour, 1874

Dates

  • Creation: 1822-1887

Creator

Language of Materials

English, with some French, Italian and Greek in the 'Diplomas and Honours' folder.

Conditions Governing Access

Open.

Extent

3 boxes