Originally published to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, now known as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, volume one of this two volume set tells the fascinating story of the first 260 years of the Faculty, from 1599-1858.

Founded in 1599 by surgeon Peter Lowe with a charter granted by King James VI of Scotland, the Faculty set out to improve the standards of healthcare in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. During the first 260 years, the Faculty gained prominence and played a leading role in the reform of medical education but also faced struggles against the growing influence of the universities. Its survival and importance to the medical profession was finally cemented by the Medical Act 1858.

The Faculty supported some of the leading medical figures of the time including William Cullen, William Hunter and William Smellie but also worked closely with the local community treating the poor for free and founding one of the very first centres for smallpox vaccination.

This is the remarkable story of one of the oldest medical institutions in the UK.