Notes of lectures given by Alexander Monro (secundus), taken down by unknown person(s)
- Reference:GB 237 Coll-1325
- Dates of Creation:1774-1775
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1 manuscript volume
Scope and Content
This volume of notes is based on Monro's surgical lectures at Edinburgh Medical School, 1774-1775. The manuscript lectures are sub-headed Lectures 1-13 and are in two distinct hands - the first two lectures in one, and the rest in another. The paper is watermarked with a crown and the initials GR, undated, but this L.V.Gerrevink paper commonly used throughout much of the 18th century. Both hands are clear and legible, with just a few corrections, and occasional additions written on the verso of some leaves.
The volume is bound in mottled calf with gilt banded spine, unlettered.
Administrative / Biographical History
Information on this volume has been largely based on the research of D. W. Taylor of the University of Otago. Key phrases identified by him are all present in the volume and pinpoint the lectures to 1774-1775.
Alexander Monro, secundus, younger son of Alexander Monro, primus (1697-1767), was born in Edinburgh on 20 May 1733. He was educated at Mr. Mundell's School in the city, and in 1752 he entered Edinburgh University to pursue medical studies. From 1753, he occasionally lectured for his father who was Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, and in July 1755 he became Joint Professor with his father. In October 1755 he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the subject of his dissertation being De Testibus et Semine in variis Animalibus. After graduating he went to London to attend William Hunter's lectures, then visited Paris, Leyden, and Berlin. In 1758 he succeeded his father as Professor of Anatomy at Edinburgh University and the following year he was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He became President of that body in 1779. His works included Observations on the structure and functions of the nervous system (1783), Structure and physiology of fishes explained and compared with those of man and other animals (1785), Bursae Mucosae (1788), and The brain, the eye, and the ear (1797). Between 1798 to 1808, Monro shared the Professorship with his son, Alexander Monro, tertius (1773-1859). Monro died on his estate at Craiglockhart, Edinburgh, on 2 October 1817.
Access Information
Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.
Acquisition Information
Purchased October 2011. Accession no: E2011.41.
Archivist's Note
Compiled by Graeme D. Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections.
Related Material
Within Special Collections, Edinburgh University Library, there are materials relating to Alexander Monro (secundus). These are notes written by others: Gen. 569-579; MSS 2745-2746.
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