Papers of Annie Peterkin

• Reference:GB 1199 C457
• Dates of Creation:1892-1933
• Language of Material:English
• Physical Description:
  0.24m

• Scope and Content

  This archive contains the personal papers of Miss Annie McWillie Peterkin. This includes:

  Certificates, in outsized box,

  Bridgwater District Nursing Association, 1898

  Obstetrical Society of London, 1898

  Central Midwives Board for England and Wales, 1904

  Central Midwives Board for Scotland, 1916

  General Nursing Council, 1921

  Commander of the British Empire (CBE), 1932

  Chalmers Hospital, Banff, 1892

  Certificate of Inspection of Nurses Commemoration, Windsor 2 Jul 1896;

  Handbook for Queen's Nurses, 1932;

  Retirement Book of Appreciation with words written by the Duke of Portland, 1932;

  Leather-bound list of Queen's and ex-Queen's Nurses who contributed to the presentation to Miss Peterkin on her retirement, 1932;

  Album prepared by the Queen's Nurses, 1932;

  Folder containing miscellaneous memorabilia, including travel documents, photographs, newspaper cuttings, diary, etc. The diary is from 1929 and although most of the pages have been ripped out, there are handwritten notes about Bush nursing in Australia (Perth & Adelaide) at the back;

  2 folders containing various correspondence and notes;

  Folder containing QNI memorabilia, 1929-33.

  Annie McWillie Peterkin (d.1937) was born (circa 1871) and brought up in Caithness, Scotland. She trained in general nursing at the Chalmers Hospital in Banff, 1889-1892 and then moved directly to Bloomsbury Square to train for her district nursing qualification at the Metropolitan and National District Nursing Association under Superintendent Amy Hughes. Showing an aptitude for administration Peterkin soon rose to Superintendent level with the Queen's Nursing Institute in England (1899). After 5 years at Bridgewater District Nursing Association she was appointed Superintendent of the Central Home in Birmingham and later Inspector of the Eastern Counties of England. She was working as an Inspector in Lancashire and Cheshire until 1912. From 1912 Peterkin was Superintendent of the entire Queen's Nursing Institute in Ireland and then later became the Superintendent for their Scottish Branch. She then succeeded Amy Hughes to become General Superintendent of the Queen's Nursing Institute in 1917 and remained in post until her retirement in 1932.

  Peterkin was also a founder member (no.2771) of the College of Nursing (est.1916) in 1917 and was a member of the College Council from 1920-1925. Peterkin was the 10th nurse to be added to the State Register of Nurses in 1922. In 1932 she received a CBE for her contributions to the nursing profession. Annie Peterkin died unexpectedly in 1937.

  (7 certificates in plan chest)

• Access Information

  This collection is available for research subject to data protection laws. Readers are advised to contact the RCN Archives in advance of their visit.