contact us    |    accessibility    |

Our Latest Events Programme has Launched

19 March 2023
The nights are getting lighter which means it's time to launch our spring events programme!
As our first series of lunch time talks were a fantastic success, we are delighted to announce our next series of lunch time talks will begin in April!
Our Dissecting the Author series will also return in April. This time our Human Remains Conservator will be joined by "Bodysnatchers: Digging Up The Untold Stories of Britain's Resurrection Men" author, Suzie Lennox.
Finally, in anticipation of Pathology Week we will be joined by Suzy Lishman CBE for a Living Autopsy. 

Full details and links to tickets below


24/4/23-Lunch Time Talks: The Black Spit  
The first report of a lung disease due to working in coalmines was made in Edinburgh in 1831 by Dr. James Crawfurd Gregory. In this lunch time talk the Museums Research Fellow professor Ken Donaldson will discuss the history of lung disease in coalminers in Edinburgh including the symptoms that raised concern and the research that helped change legislation to improve working conditions for Scotland's miners.
Talks will last approximately 30 mins and there will be tea and coffee available for ticket holders.


27/4/23-Dissecting the Author: Suzie Lennox- Bodysnatcher Online Event
Join Surgeons' Hall Museum as we explore how surgery and the history of medicine has inspired authors and their work. In this online event Surgeons' Hall Museums Human Remains Conservator, Cat Irving, will be joined by Susie Lennox author of "Bodysnatchers: Digging Up The Untold Stories of Britain’s Resurrection Men." "Bodysnatchers" tells of the chilling history of the body snatching trade and the stories of Britain's lesser-known Resurrection Men. It is not necessary to have read "Bodysnatchers" by Suzie Lennox to join this event but if you would like to purchase a copy a Kindle download of the book it can be found here Age 16+


22/5/23- Lunch Time Talk: Surgery, Ambition and the Crimean War

In this lunch time talk RCSED Library and Archive Assistant, Robin Fixter, discusses archives of the experiences of two young surgeons who volunteered their services during the Crimean War. These archives throw an intimate light on the already infamous state of British medical and surgical care during the conflict and what young surgeons were willing to risk to get ahead. Talks will last approximately 30 mins and there will be tea and coffees available for ticket holders.

5/6/23- Lunch Time talks: Sir James Young Simpson- A Male Midwife 

In this lunch time talk our Learning and Interpretation Manager, Thomas Elliott, will discuss the world famous Victorian Obstetrician Sir James Young Simpson. In celebration of our new temporary exhibition In Safe Hands: The Battle for Midwifery, this talk will focus on Simpsons career in Midwifery and how he revolutionised the field with his innovations in Obstetrics. Talks will last approximately 30 mins and there will be tea and coffee available for ticket holders.


17/6/23- Living Autopsy with Dr. Suzy Lishman CBE 

This unique event is presented by Consultant Histopathologist, Dr Suzy Lishman CBE, and involves a ‘living’ dead body, played by an actor. Dr Lishman will take attendees through the process of a post-mortem examination, showing the real instruments used, explaining where incisions are made, how each organ is examined, and what tests might be carried out. Dr Lishman will also explain the role of pathologists, and what circumstances would lead to a post-mortem being required for someone who has died.

Attendees will hear a scientifically accurate and sensitive account of this important medical examination and will be invited to ask questions at the end of Dr Suzy’s talk. The event is being run in anticipation of National Pathology Week 2023, which runs from 19 to 25 June.

Subscribe to the Surgeons' Hall Museums News Feed