Entries by Lorna Cahill Bannister

Aleen Cust – the first woman to join the veterinary profession, 100 years ago today!

One hundred years ago today, on the 20th December 1922, Aleen Cust became the first female MRCVS. To mark this significant event in the history of the British veterinary profession, we have digitised documents from our archives that tell Cust’s story. It begins with her unsatisfactory first encounter with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons […]

A snapshot of British veterinary practice in 1882

One of my favourite parts of our Archives is the extensive collection of applications for Existing Practitioner status, sent to the RCVS in 1882. After the arduous work carried out seven years ago to sort and list the 859 separate applications, I am very excited to now begin making these fascinating documents more accessible to […]

Edward Coleman lectures – a 200-year-old time capsule of veterinary science

  Two hundred years ago today – which was a Monday not a Friday – students attended the Introductory Lecture of the 1821/1822 session at the London Veterinary College, now known as the Royal Veterinary College. The lecture was delivered by Edward Coleman, Professor of the College, and thanks to notes of the lecture taken […]

Archives on your Digital Doorstop – Overcome the Lockdown!

This Friday is our Annual Royal College Day – which due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be the first to involve a virtual AGM! The Annual General Meeting has taken place since the very beginning of the RCVS in 1844, with official announcements published in the London Gazette, and voting for new Council members recorded […]