Scope of the Collection

Thanks to the generosity of its first Curator, Sir Edward Ford, the library has a unique collection of medical Australiana including many rare pamphlets. Most of these volumes are housed in the Ford Room. We continue to collect relevant Australian publications, including works by Fellows.

There is also a collection of manuscript material, such as war diaries of physicians, and private papers of physicians who may have served on committees such as the National Specialists Qualifications Advisory Committee (NSQAC).

A collection of photographs, mainly of Fellows, is maintained. There are also photographs and slides of historical medical sites and personalities.

The RACP History of Medicine Library is a private library supported only by the membership fees of the Fellows, however, it has always provided a service to the general public. Our catalogue is included in Libraries Australia, an on-line catalogue shared by most libraries in Australia.