Papers of College Secretaries
TitlePapers of College Secretaries
ReferenceRCS-SEC
Level of descriptionfonds
Date1796-c1990s
Admin./ biographical historyEarly College Secretaries attended and took minutes of all meetings, boards, and committees of the College. They circulated memos and notices throughout the College regarding matters such as prizes, events, and lectures; arranged for publications; answered general enquiries; and managed bequests and gifts to the College. They worked closely with the College President.
Unlike the Presidency of the College, there were no rules regarding how long a College Secretary could serve. As a result, College Secretaries often served for several years. The longest serving College Secretary was Edward Belfour, who served from 1811-1865.
Before the College Secretary could be formally appointed, they were required to read out the following declaration: 'I declare that I will be a good and faithful Secretary to the Royal College of Surgeons of England; that I will not, by any means, reveal any of the lawful Secrets thereof; and that I will duly, diligently, honestly and obediently perform the Duties of my Office, to the best of my knowledge and ability'
The last College Secretary was Craig Duncan, who served the College from 1997-2010 (by which point, his official title was 'Presidential Advisor'). As the structure of the College changed throughout the years during and following his tenure, the tasks previously undertaken by the College Secretary became the combined responsibility of an executive team.
[Source: 'The Royal College of Surgeons of England - 200 years', eds. Blandy and Lumley, 2000]
List of College Secretaries:
Okay Belfour, Secretary 1800-1911 (Belfour had served as Clerk to the Company of Surgeons since 1782)
Edmund Belfour, Secretary 1811-1965
Edward Trimmer, Secretary 1865-1901
Silbert Forrest Antrobus Cowell, Secretary 1901-1934
Donald Kennedy Cassels, Secretary 1934-1962
Ronald Johnson-Gilbert, Secretary 1962-1988
Roger Duffett, Secretary, 1988-1997
Craig Duncan, Secretary, 1997-2010.
[Source: 'The Royal College of Surgeons of England - 200 years', eds. Blandy and Lumley, 2000]
Unlike the Presidency of the College, there were no rules regarding how long a College Secretary could serve. As a result, College Secretaries often served for several years. The longest serving College Secretary was Edward Belfour, who served from 1811-1865.
Before the College Secretary could be formally appointed, they were required to read out the following declaration: 'I declare that I will be a good and faithful Secretary to the Royal College of Surgeons of England; that I will not, by any means, reveal any of the lawful Secrets thereof; and that I will duly, diligently, honestly and obediently perform the Duties of my Office, to the best of my knowledge and ability'
The last College Secretary was Craig Duncan, who served the College from 1997-2010 (by which point, his official title was 'Presidential Advisor'). As the structure of the College changed throughout the years during and following his tenure, the tasks previously undertaken by the College Secretary became the combined responsibility of an executive team.
[Source: 'The Royal College of Surgeons of England - 200 years', eds. Blandy and Lumley, 2000]
List of College Secretaries:
Okay Belfour, Secretary 1800-1911 (Belfour had served as Clerk to the Company of Surgeons since 1782)
Edmund Belfour, Secretary 1811-1965
Edward Trimmer, Secretary 1865-1901
Silbert Forrest Antrobus Cowell, Secretary 1901-1934
Donald Kennedy Cassels, Secretary 1934-1962
Ronald Johnson-Gilbert, Secretary 1962-1988
Roger Duffett, Secretary, 1988-1997
Craig Duncan, Secretary, 1997-2010.
[Source: 'The Royal College of Surgeons of England - 200 years', eds. Blandy and Lumley, 2000]
Scope and ContentThe Secretarial Papers cover matters such as the award and inception of prizes and scholarships, gifts to the College; bequests (both monetary and of artefacts), and the organising of College events and celebrations. They largely contain correspondence.
The files are arranged by subject, and often contain records created by more than one secretary. It is likely that these were passed on to the next Secretary following the retirement of their predecessor.
The files are arranged by subject, and often contain records created by more than one secretary. It is likely that these were passed on to the next Secretary following the retirement of their predecessor.
Extent40 boxes (9 shelves)
LanguageEnglish
System of arrangementLargely in chronological order, though some items do not follow this.
Conditions governing accessBy appointment only. See College website for contact details of the Archives.
Persons keyword Sibert Forrest Antrobus Cowell, 1863-1949, College Secretary, Okey Belfour, fl 1782-1811, College Secretary, Clerk to the Company of Surgeons, Edmund Belfour, 1790-1865, College Secretary, Edward James Alfred Trimmer, 1827-1904, College Secretary, Donald Kennedy Cassels, fl1924-1962, College Secretary, Ronald Stuart Johnson- Gilbert, 1925-2003, College Secretary, Roger H E Duffett, 1936-, College Secretary, Craig Duncan, fl. 1997-2010, College Secretary, Presidential Advisor