Sharpey Papers

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0103 MS ADD 227
Held at	: University College London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/special-coll ›
Full title	: Sharpey Papers
Date(s)	: 1852-1866
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 1 box
Name of creator(s)	: Sharpey | William | 1802-1880 | Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Sharpey entered Edinburgh University in August 1817, to study the humanities and natural philosophy. In 1818 he commenced medical studies and in 1821 was admitted as a member of the Edinburgh College of Surgeons. He graduated MD of Edinburgh in 1823, and obtained the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons there in 1830. In 1834 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1836 he was appointed to the Chair of Anatomy and Physiology at University College London. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. He was appointed an Examiner in Anatomy at London University in 1840. In 1844 he was made a member of the Council of the Royal Society and in 1853 was appointed Secretary in place of Thomas Bell. For 15 years from 1861, Sharpey was one of the members appointed by the Crown on the General Council of Medical Education and Registration. In 1871 he retired as Secretary due to failure of eyesight. Sharpey died from bronchitis on 11 April 1880 in London and was buried at Arbroath.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

The collection consists of letters, most of which are addressed to William Sharpey as Secretary of the Royal Society. The main correspondents are Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (President of the Royal Society, 1858-1861); Sir Edward Sabine (President of the Royal Society, 1861-1871); George Gabriel Stokes (one of the Secretaries, 1854-1884). The numerous other correspondents include many people active in the scientific world.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

Finding aids:

A handlist and name index is available. Please contact Special Collections for further information.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Found in Flaxman House in November 1972.

Allied Materials

Related material:

University College London Special Collections also holds letters of Sharpey relating to University College London business, 1836-1874 (Ref: COLLEGE CORRESPONDENCE); miscellaneous others correspondence and papers of Sharpey (Ref: MS ADD 150, MS ADD 304, MS MISC 2Q, MS MISC 2S, MS MISC 3S, S.R.E.950.G1, S.R.E.950.H1.1, S.R.E.950.H17.4/1); various students' notes on his lectures (Ref: MS ADD 238, 278, 283-6).

Correspondence and papers of Sharpey are also held at the Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine; Royal Society; Natural History Museum; Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives; Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections; Glasgow University Library, Special Collections Department; Arbroath Museum; Elgin Museum. For further details see the National Register of Archives.

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:

Date(s) of descriptions:
1999, revised Oct 2001