Munk's Roll


The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London, commonly referred to as Munk's Roll, is a series of published works containing biographical entries of the fellows of the Royal College of Physicians. It was published in print in eleven volumes with a twelfth online. The series is now titled .

History

Munk's Roll was initially the work of the College's Harveian Librarian, William Munk.
The first published edition was originally prepared as manuscript in three large volumes, containing biographical information on all physicians who were connected with the College, with no thought to publication. Each volume of the manuscript was presented to the College upon its completion. The first volume covered the foundation of the College to 1600, the second covered 1601 to 1700, and the third volume 1701-1800. The Council of the College, at the instigation of some influential Fellows, expressed the view in December 1860 that the work be published, and it was, in 1861.
The first edition consisted of volumes one and two, containing fellows and licentiates from 1518 to 1800. In 1878, volume three was included in the second edition, overseen by Munk, with biographies to 1825. The work was set out in chronological order with an index.
Subsequent editions, for biographies post 1825, were limited to fellows, which reflects the increasing numbers, qualifications and professionalism of physicians through the 19th century. They were titled Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

Volumes

It has become an invaluable biographical resource for those interested in medical and social history, and family historians. All the print volumes are available online as part of the series, which is regularly updated with new biographies of deceased fellows.