Royal College of Surgeons

A Royal College of Surgeons or Royal Surgical College is an type of organisation found in many present and former members of the Commonwealth of Nations. These organisations are dedicated to excellence in surgery, and are responsible for training surgeons and setting their examinations. In this context, the term chartered implies the awarding of a Royal charter.

History

The origins of the first Royal College of Surgeons go back to the fourteenth century with the foundation of the 'Guild of Surgeons Within the City of London'^[1]. There was dispute between the surgeons and barber surgeons until an agreement was signed between them in 1493, giving the fellowship of surgeons the power of incorporation.^[2] This was followed in 1505 by the incorporation of the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh as a Craft Guild of Edinburgh. This body was granted a royal charter in 1506 by King James IV of Scotland. It was followed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, royally chartered by James VI in 1599, as the Glasgow Faculty.

The union in London was formalised further in 1540 by Henry VIII of England between the Worshipful Company of Barbers (incorporated 1462) and the Guild of Surgeons to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons. In 1745 the surgeons broke away from the barbers to form the Company of Surgeons. In 1800 the Company was granted a Royal Charter to become the Royal College of Surgeons in London. A further charter in 1843 granted it the present title of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Organisations

• Royal College of Surgeons of England (incorporated 1493, chartered 1800)
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (chartered 1505)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (founded 1519, chartered 1599)
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (chartered 1784)
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (chartered 1927)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (chartered 1929)
• Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (chartered 1868)

References

1. ^ Louis Kuo Tai Fu (2000)The origins of surgery. 2: From barbers to surgeons Annals of the College of Surgeons Hong Kong 4 (1), 35–49. doi:10.1046/j.1442-2034.2000.00029.x
2. ^ http://www.hom.ucalgary.ca/Dayspapers2003.pdf, page 118

See also

• Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons