Sir Michael Foster collection

The collection comprises of correspondence by Foster to Robert Falcon Scott relating to the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (led by Scott).

Michael Foster was born in Huntingdon in 1836. He was educated at Huntingdon Grammar School and at University School and College, London. Between 1860 and 1866, he practised as a surgeon in Huntingdon and in 1867, was appointed lecturer at University College, London, holding the chair of practical physiology two years later. In 1883, he became the first professor of physiology at the University of Cambridge, a post he remained in until 1903. He was knighted in 1899 and between 1900 and 1906, served as Member of Parliament for the University of London. He died in 1907.

The correspondence is arranged chronologically.

By appointment.

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Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to Who was who, 1897-1916, A & C Black Ltd. London (1920) and Cambridge University, Whipple Library and Robert Keith Headland Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events, (1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN 0521309034

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue, Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

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