Munk's Roll is a series of published works containing biographical entries of the Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. The original title The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London has become commonly referred to as the colloquial Munk's Rolls. The Roll has been continued, and has been published in eleven volumes (until 2004). The twelfth in electronic form, post 2004. The work has been reproduced in multiple editions. From 1860 to today, the work is compiled by the Librarians of the College.
Contents
History
Munk's Roll was initially the work of the College's Harveian Librarian, William Munk.
The first published volume (1861) was originally prepared as manuscript in three large volumes with no thought to publication; with each volume of the manuscript being presented to the College library upon its completion. Of the manuscripts, the first volume was from the foundation of the College to 1600 (completed March 1855), the second covered 1601 to 1700 (completed December 1855), and the third volume 1701-1800 (completed in June 1856). The Council of the College, at the instigation of some influential Fellows, expressed the view in December 1860 that the work be published, and it subsequently was in 1861.
Initial publication in 1861
contained past fellows and licentiates from 1518 to 1800. In 1878, the third volume was produced as part of the second edition, and again overseen by Munk, extended the dates of biographies to 1825. The work was set out in chronological order with an index at the front of both volumes.
Subsequent editions focused on fellows of the College, post 1825, which reflects the increasing qualifications and professionalism of physicians through the 19th century, and were entitled Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London
The Roll today
The Roll is being reproduced by the Royal College of Physicians, and has become an invaluable biographical resource for those interested in medical and social history, and family historians. All the printed volumes are now available online, and the Roll is regularly updated with new obituaries of fellows.