Wellcome Library

Address

183 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BE

Telephone

020 7611 8722

Notes

The library was founded on the collections formed by Henry Wellcome (1853-1936), the pharmaceutical entrepreneur. After his death his collections were bequeathed to the Wellcome Trust which oversees the library. The holdings includes books, manuscripts, archives, films and photos on the history of medicine from the earliest times to the present day.

Other key resources include:

  • The Medical Directory dating back to the mid-19th century and other medical directories.
  • Eighteenth-Century Medics reference book.
  • Transcripts of licences to practice as a doctor issued by the church authorities.
  • Apprenticeship indentures, also available to search via the online catalogue.
  • Membership lists of various medical colleges.
  • Register of Nurses.
  • Midwives Roll.
  • Histories and annual reports of hospitals and asylums.

Patient records including admission registers mainly from asylums and some patient records from private practices from the 19th century or earlier.

An online catalogue of archives, manuscripts, books, film and images is available on their web site. Their guide to resources ‘Biographical and Family History Resources in the Wellcome Library‘. About the collections describes the different Library collections and the breadth and variety of materials that they contain.

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