As part of the Hunter: man, medic and collector exhibition in the Hunterian museum, we have two examples of books from William Hunter’s library on display. Hunter’s magnificent 18th century library is one of the star collections in the Library’s Special Collections.
Map of Somerset from Saxton's Atlas
We swap the items over every four months or so, and always choose a medical and non-medical volume to show. Currently on exhibition are a 16th-century atlas of the counties of England and Wales, and a 13th century medical manuscript.
Christopher Saxton began to draw up maps for his atlas in 1574. Each map was engraved on a single copper-plate and coloured by hand. The complete atlas was published in 1579. It is impressively accurate for the period. You can read more about this item in our book of the month archive.
The manuscript on display is a miscellany of medical writings. It was made in southern France, possibly for use by students at the great medical school of Montpellier. The opening exhibited includes a small illustrated initial that incorporates a scene of two doctors discussing a flask of urine.
You can see these two books in the main hall of the Hunterian Museum until October.
Subscribe to:
