Papers of Sir William Gilliatt, 1917-1918

This material is held atRoyal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Archives

  • Reference
    • GB 1538 S46
  • Dates of Creation
    • 8 December 1917 - 13 July 1918
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 1 folder

Scope and Content

Letters from Sir William Gilliatt to Dr G de M Rudolf concerning the administration of the medical military subsection at Charing Cross Hospital and King's College London.

Administrative / Biographical History

William Gilliatt (1884-1956), was the son of a pharmacist. He graduated from the Middlesex Hospital in 1908 and held various posts there. In 1916 he was appointed assistant obstetric and gynaecological surgeon at King's College Hospital, becoming full surgeon in 1925. He remained at King's until his retirement in 1946. He also held the posts of obstetric surgeon to Queen Charlotte's Hospital and consulting surgeon to Bromley Cottage Hospital, the Maudsley Hospital and St Saviour's Hospital. He served for more than 20 years as gynaecologist to the Royal Family, attending the births of Prince Charles and Princess Anne. As a result of his relationship with the Royal family, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother accepted the office of patron of the College and the Honorary Fellowship. He was married with one daughter, and was knighted in 1948. He was killed in a car accident on 27 September 1956.

Gilliatt was a foundation fellow of the RCOG, and served on the Council from 1932 until his death. He was Honorary Secretary from 1942-1945 and became President in 1946.

During the First World War, William Gilliatt served in the capacity of Commanding Officer of the Medical Subsection of the hospitals at King's and St. Thomas'.

Access Information

Open to researchers by appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. mailto: archives@rcog.org.uk

Archivist's Note

Catalogued by Penny Hutchins, College Archivist.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is vested in the estate of Sir William Gilliatt.

Reproductions are available at the discretion of the College Archivist.

Custodial History

The letters from Gilliatt were originally passed to the College by their recipient, Dr G de M Rudolf, in 1969 and filed with Gilliatt's presidential papers. After transfer to the College Archives they were removed from the President's papers

Related Material

Related material also held at the RCOG may be found at the following references:

RCOG/A4/6 Sir Gilliatt's presidential papers