Key Object Page

Class Certificates

During the 19th century, qualifications in medicine were obtained by taking a combination of classes and practical sessions. Class certificates were used by medical students taking lectures and practical classes as a record of courses they had attended. Each card details the class title and date, and who it was taught by. The museum has a range of class certificates in the collection. This example is a set from one individual, Hugh Morris. We have twenty three cards, ranging from 1770 to 1801. It is interesting to note that he continued his education over a period of thirty years, perhaps akin to today’s Continuing Professional Development. Classes he took included: Anatomy and Surgery by Alexander Monro (secundus) (1733-1817), at the University of Edinburgh in 1788; Midwifery by Mr. Bell in 1788; Lectures on materia medica by William Irvine (1743-1787) at the University of Glasgow; and anatomy dissections at the University of Edinburgh, with Andrew Fyfe (1754-1824) in 1798.