Lectures and Correspondence of Sir William Turner (1832-1916)

The collection is composed of: anatomical demonstrations, 1862-1863; and, notes of lectures on anatomy, 1875-1876, 1887-1888, 1896-1897; letter to the Rev. Dr. Wallace Williamson, 1912; and, letter from Turner to Lord Lister, 1907.

William Turner was born in Lancaster in 1832. He was educated in private schools and then at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the University of London where he obtained his M.B. He became a Demonstrator of Anatomy at Edinburgh University in 1854, and in 1867 was appointed Professor of Anatomy there. In 1903, Turner became Principal of Edinburgh University. He was President of the General Medical Council from 1898 to 1904. Turner was Knighted in 1886, and was awarded the K.C.B in 1901. He had also been Vice-Chancellor of the University. Sir William Turner died on 15 February 1916.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Laidlay lectures, transferred from the Anatomy Library, 1962, Accession no. E62.32. Easterbrook lectures, purchased June 1972, Accession no. E72.26.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1916-1928. 3rd edition. London: Adam and Charles, 1962.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The local Indexes show other references to Turner related material (check the Indexes for more details): letters to Sir Archibald Geikie, 1886-1914, at Gen. 526; letter to Sir C. J. Pearson, 1893, at Gen. 756, no. 283; letter to Sir W. Ramsay, 1910, at Gen. 873/VIII; letter to Professor Sir Richard Lodge, at JA 615; letters to Turner from C. R. Darwin about The variation of animals and plants under domestication at Dc.2.96/5/1-5; letters from G. M. Humphrey, T. H. Huxley, Lord Lister, and Sir R. Owen, at Dc.2.96/6; letter from Sir J. M. Barrie, 1909, at Dc.4.102; letters and facsimiles of letters from Lord Lister, 1900-1907, at Dc.2.96/3 and at Dc.4.101-103 Lister; letter from W. T. Oldrieve, 1914; notice of in Sir J. S. Flett's accounf of student days, 1886-1894, at Dc.6.116, f.39; names of subscribers to the portrait of Turner, 1913, at Dk.2.21; and, photographic portraits of Turner, at Phot.Ill.157/27, and in JY 1202.

In addition, the UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: letters to the Acland family, 1883-1914, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Special Collections and Western Manuscripts, Ref. MSS Acland NRA 22893 Acland