Catalogue (and copy) of the Hunterian Museum by George Shaw
TitleCatalogue (and copy) of the Hunterian Museum by George Shaw
ReferenceMS0471
Level of descriptionfonds
Datec1806
Admin./ biographical historyGeorge Shaw was a Botanist and Naturalist. In 1791 Shaw became Assistant Keeper of the Natural History Department at the British Museum, and then became Keeper in 1806. Medical and anatomical material was sent to the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, but many of the stuffed animals and birds had deteriorated and had to be burnt. He was succeeded after his death by his assistant Charles Konig. In the field of herpetology he described numerous new species of reptiles and amphibians.
Scope and Content1. The cover states this volume is "...parts of Dr Shaw's catalogues of the Articles of Natural History in the museum, June 1806". The "museum" being that of John Hunter and the numbers used were those painted on the top of the specimen jars. The first page is headed "Museum Hunterianum" and then lists specimens in order from 1 to 3739, with some additional miscellaneous specimens at the end. [former reference 276.g.45]
2. A copy of the above catalogue, by George Shaw, made by William Clift in 1806. This copy is much neater and easier to follow than Shaw's original catalogue. The title pages states this volume is a "Copy of Dr Shaw's Catalogue of part of the Natural History, preserved in spirit, in the Hunterian Museum, 1806".
A detailed note at the front, by Clift, explains that Shaw made his catalogue while the collection was at Castle Street, before it was moved to the College, and that it took "several years" to complete. Shaw did not arrange the collection, simply listing the contents under their numbers, as allocated by Clift after Hunter's death. Until then they had no numbers nor was there any catalogue, according to Clift.
At the end of the "New Holland Division" (so named by Shaw) there is a note by Clift, that all of Sir Jospeh Banks' specimens had "JB" painted on them.
It also has some notes by Clift at the end, explaining the numbers used, the subsequent rearrangement of the collection in 1816-1817, and how the two arrangements are recorded in the new catalogue on which work began in 1824. [former reference 276.g.46]
2. A copy of the above catalogue, by George Shaw, made by William Clift in 1806. This copy is much neater and easier to follow than Shaw's original catalogue. The title pages states this volume is a "Copy of Dr Shaw's Catalogue of part of the Natural History, preserved in spirit, in the Hunterian Museum, 1806".
A detailed note at the front, by Clift, explains that Shaw made his catalogue while the collection was at Castle Street, before it was moved to the College, and that it took "several years" to complete. Shaw did not arrange the collection, simply listing the contents under their numbers, as allocated by Clift after Hunter's death. Until then they had no numbers nor was there any catalogue, according to Clift.
At the end of the "New Holland Division" (so named by Shaw) there is a note by Clift, that all of Sir Jospeh Banks' specimens had "JB" painted on them.
It also has some notes by Clift at the end, explaining the numbers used, the subsequent rearrangement of the collection in 1816-1817, and how the two arrangements are recorded in the new catalogue on which work began in 1824. [former reference 276.g.46]
Extent2 volumes
LanguageEnglish
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Conditions governing reproductionCopies of material in the archives can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents. Some items within this collection may remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Permission to publish material, in print or online, must be sought in advance from the Royal College of Surgeons of England and, where appropriate, the copyright holder. Please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk in the first instance.
NotesMS0471/1 is very fragile and so should only be looked at if absolutely necessary.
