GB 1538 S53 - Chamberlen instruments: Illustration by Dr Walter Radcliffe

1 folder outsize

This illustration was prepared by Dr Walter Radcliffe, general practitioner and author of 'The Secret Instrument', for a short talk given during an official visit to the RCOG Library by a group fo delegates from the XXIII International Congress of the History of medicine, London, 2-9 Sep 1972.
GB 1538 S53 1972 Collection (fonds) 1 folder outsize Dr Walter Radcliffe MA, NB, Chir, MRCS, LRCP

Peter Chamberlen the elder (d.1631) was a surgeon and celebrated accoucheur, attending the queens of James I and Charles I. His name is connected with the short midwifery forceps, which he was probably the first of his family to use. His younger brother Peter (1572-1626), and grand nephew Peter (1601-1683) were also surgeons who employed and developed the Chamberlen instruments, but Peter the elder is usually credited with being their first user (Dictionary of National Biography Vol IV, OUP, 1917, pp 13-14).

This illustration was prepared by Dr Walter Radcliffe, general practitioner and author of 'The Secret Instrument', for a short talk given during an official visit to the RCOG Library by a group fo delegates from the XXIII International Congress of the History of medicine, London, 2-9 Sep 1972.

This item was transferred to the Archives from the College Library in 2001.

The item comprises a sheet of pencil sketches of various instruments, including the Chamberlen forceps.

No further accruals are expected.

One item only.

Open.

Copyright vested in Dr Walter Radcliffe.
Not applicable

Outsize.

A general index to the catalogue of the RCOG Archives is maintained in the College Archives; refer to the Archivist.

An engraving dated 1979 of the Chamberlen forceps, together with a likeness of Dr Peter Chamberlen, his pedigree and coat of arms, is at R3/9/1.

Sources: Biographical details of the individuals who have presented material to the College and/or comprise the subject of the records, have been compiled using information in administrative files and, where relevant, consulting Sir John Peel's book The Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 1929-1969, Whitefriars Press Ltd, 1975. Compiled by Clare Cowling, Archivist, RCOG. National Council on Archives, rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997; ISAD(G), second Edition, 2000 10 December 2001 Drawings Gynaecology Medical equipment Medical sciences Obstetrics Radcliffe , Walter , fl 1974 , Doctor of medicine Scientific equipment Surgery Visual materials Equipment Illustrations

This item was transferred to the Archives from the College Library in 2001.

The item comprises a sheet of pencil sketches of various instruments, including the Chamberlen forceps.

No further accruals are expected.

One item only.

Open.

Copyright vested in Dr Walter Radcliffe.

• Engels

• Latijn

Not applicable

An engraving dated 1979 of the Chamberlen forceps, together with a likeness of Dr Peter Chamberlen, his pedigree and coat of arms, is at R3/9/1.

A general index to the catalogue of the RCOG Archives is maintained in the College Archives; refer to the Archivist.

National Council on Archives, rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997; ISAD(G), second Edition, 2000

• Engels