About the archives

The RCPsych archives chart the history of the College from 1841 to the present day, and include official and administrative records of the College; papers from, and about, individual members; and personal papers of eminent psychiatrists with close ties to the College.

Our collection includes:

  • administrative records including our Royal Charters and Bye-laws, and committee, Division and Faculty papers
  • College reports, occassional papers and position statements
  • membership records
  • journals and other publications
  • mental nurse training and examination records
  • oral history recordings
  • manuscripts such as case books for Camberwell House Asylum and Otto House Asylum, and Tuke's Dictionary of Psychological Medicine
  • donated personal papers of eminent psychiatrists including Dr Alexander Walk, Dr Thomas Bewley, Professor Sue Bailey and Professor Kenneth Rawnsley

Related information

You can also explore the History, art and exhibitions page and our History of psychiatry resources page, where you'll find a variety of primary and secondary sources, many of which are available online.

Also, the Our history page outlines the history of the College and its predecessor bodies from 1841 with timelines of key events, and our roll of honour gives a list of all College Officers from 1971 and all our Prize, Fellowship, Award and Medal winners.

Donations

We are delighted to accept donations in line with our Archives collection development policy.

The College is particularly interested in acquiring personal papers of members, patients, carers and members of the public which may enhance understanding of the history and development of the College, psychiatry and mental health issues more broadly.

The following items are likely to be of archival value:

  • items relating to RCPsych business e.g. committee, faculty and division minutes, reports, files and correspondence
  • professional correspondence e.g. with colleagues, professional organisations, and government bodies
  • personal and family e.g. correspondence, diaries, photographs.
  • biographical information e.g. curriculum vitae, memoirs, genealogies, biographical sketches
  • audio-visual material e.g. photographs, films, sound and video recordings

You can arrange a donation by contacting either the Archivist or Honorary Archivist:

Email the Archivist
Contact the Honorary Archivist
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