Expanding the Inventory Records and Online Profile of Early Modern Medical Books at the Science Museum (360G-Wellcome-213159_Z_18_Z)

The short-term goal of my six-month project is to create a new inventory of the Science Museum’s 158 pre-1800 medical books which would contain more up-to-date, detailed information about the contents, physical format and publication circumstances of the predominantly Latin and English codices. I also intend to explore and document links between the books and the museum’s large collection of medical objects. My project will also contribute to the long-term goal of making the books more accessible by the museum’s online search platforms. Consequently, part of my project may involve developing contextual materials to accompany the books, such as more in-depth, accessible information about the authors, the broader concepts they are engaging with, and their place within the history of medicine. I would also be keen, if possible, to increase the online presence of these books by writing a short, informal and engaging article aimed at the general public for the Science Museum Blog, or a more formal article on the process of cataloguing them for the Science Museum Group Journal.