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Our History

An historical timeline of the College

Since the 16th century our Fellows and Members have striven to change the face of medicine; dedicated to setting the highest standards of health care, our College has been driving progress for generations.

Portrait of Maister Peter Lowe

1599

The Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow founded by Scottish Surgeon Peter Lowe.

Image depicting the First Faculty Hall

1697

Acquisition of First Faculty Hall beside the Tron Church, Glasgow.

An old, worn library book

1698

The Library was founded in 1698.

Portrait of Joseph Black

1761

Former President Joseph Black discovers latent heat. The discovery marked the foundation of thermodynamics.

Image depicting the Second Faculty Hall

1791

Acquisition of Second Faculty Hall in St Enoch's Square, Glasgow.

Portrait of David Livingston

1841

Honorary Fellow, David Livingston, departs on his first expedition to Africa.

Inside of the St Vincent Street building

1862

The Faculty moves to 242 St Vincent Street. It has since added the adjacent properties and today occupies 232 - 242 St Vincent Street.

Portrait of Joseph Lister

1865

Fellow, Joseph Lister, discovers the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic in surgery.

Portrait of Sir William Macewen

1879

Fellow, Sir William Macewen, carries out the first operation on a brain tumour.

Image of the first radiology department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary

1896

Fellow John McIntyre, opens the world's first radiology department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Image of certificate of College

1909

The Faculty is renamed the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

An attendence book showing the name Jamini Sen

1912

Jamini Sen becomes the first female Fellow of the College.

A black and white ultrasound image

1958

Physician Fellow Ian Donald and engineer Tom Brown build the world's first successful ultrasound diagnostic machine.

A person holding the College mace

1962

The Royal Faculty is renamed the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

A portrait of Sir Graham Teasdale

1974

Former President Sir Graham Teasdale, and Fellow Bryan Jennett CBE, invent the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which is used today all over the world.

A clay moulding of jaws with teeth

1990

The Dental Faculty is established.

An image of the outside of the St Vincent Street College building

2006

The Faculty of Travel Medicine is established.

An xray of a foot

2012

The Faculty of Podiatric Medicine is established.

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