The Regent Park's three royal medical colleges
The Regent's Park is the home of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOph).
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) of London 11 St Andrews Place, London NW1 4LE, UK
Thomas Linacre (1460–1524) and a group of physicians petitioned King Henry VIII and were granted a charter on 23 September 1518 to found a College of Physicians. Henry VIII was the nominal founder and Linacre the first President. Until 1835, only Oxford or Cambridge doctors of medicine could become Fellows of the College. The original College was Linacre's own home near St Paul's from 1518 to 1614, the second at nearby Paternoster Row and Amen Corner (1614–72), then Warwick Lane (1672–1825), the fourth in Pall Mall East (1825–1964) and the present College from 1964 onwards in The Regent's Park. President Lord Platt was instrumental in choosing Sir Denys Lasdun (1914–2001) as architect for what has been described as Denys Lasdun's creation. It is a building of grace, dignity and charm.1
Lord Platt wrote to Lasdun saying ‘ ... it grows on me. I am sure it is a masterpiece.’ When observing it from Regent's Park, note the contrast between blue brick and white mosaic; note the floating volume of the library on its slender columns, and the sombre mound of the lecture block—Lasdun's achievement is regarded as a monumental act of faith.1
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology (RCOG) 27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RG, UK
The British College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was incorporated on 13 September 1929. It received the initial guidance of Fletcher Shaw; and Blair-Bell who wrote a history of its formation, and in his Will, he directed that this should be circulated. However, this circulation was never undertaken. Lord Riddell, owner of the News of the World newspaper, helped with initial finances and Sir Arthur Sims endowed a Sims Black Professorship for overseas travel. The College remained short of funds and even in 1974, members of Council were still dropping a £1 note into a bowl on the lunch table after their meetings. Outward trappings were seen to follow, including College gowns, a coat of arms an appropriate seal and the motto Super Ardua.2 In order to become as international as possible, in 1935 an admissions ceremony for new members was held in Melbourne, and in 1945 Professor Allan of Melbourne was elected Vice President. In 1946, Her Majesty the Queen consented to become Patron, and in 1948 a Royal Charter was granted. In 1953, a Silver Jubilee was launched to raise a new College in Sussex Lodge, Regent's Park and in 1957 the Queen Mother laid its foundation stone.
The Council decided to build residential accommodation in 1980, but planning permission was refused, partly because a beautiful chestnut tree would have to be forfeited. In 1987, No. 8 Kent Terrace was purchased as the President's House.
In 1999, the College decided to build the Education Centre, which was opened by HRH The Princess Royal in September 2001.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOph) 17 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QW, UK
The Royal Charter creating the College of Ophthalmologists was granted in 1988 and the Royal Licence was granted 5 years later. HRH the Duke of York became Patron of the College in 1993.
The College first operated in Fulham and moved to Regent's Park in 1992, occupying a five storey building in Cornwall Terrace. The College motto is UT OMNES VIDEANT (so that all may see).3 It contains the Council and Seminar rooms, Education and Training Department and Administration offices. The walls of the Council Room are adorned with portraits of the Presidents, each of whom holds office for 3 years. The President's Room houses an antiquarian library of over 400 books, including some rare editions of books on the early history of ophthalmology. The Oxford Room houses a museum and doubles as a small meeting room. Its name derives from the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress (1994), which provided a helpful donation. The Museum contains a collection of optical and surgical instruments.
The College with over 3500 members, organizes an important curriculum for ophthalmic specialist trainees and for the continuing professional development of ophthalmologists.3
Conflict of interest: none declared.
References
1. Calder B. Denyl Lasdun's Royal College of Physicians (2008) London: Royal College of Physicians.
2. Barnett P. 75 years of the RCOG 1929–2004.
3. Evans K. Notes on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||