Dissecting history

One of the University’s hidden gems, the Anatomy Museum houses some 5,500 items, with around 300 on public display.

Founded and developed by the Monro dynasty, it flourished under Sir William Turner, Professor of Anatomy from 1867 to 1903, and Principal of the University from 1903 to 1917.

Turner had broad interests in evolution and comparative anatomy and built up the impressive collections displayed.

Celebrated architecture

The splendid museum hall was at the heart of the new Medical School designed by the architect Robert Rowand Anderson.

It opened with great ceremony in 1884.

In the 1950s, the three storey museum hall was reduced to a single upper storey which still survives as museum, housing a unique collection.

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Future plans

Staff from the University’s College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine are now involved with planning for the next phase of the museum’s life, with a proposed move to new premises adjacent to the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, scheduled to take place towards the end of 2013.

This will provide an opportunity to have all the items fully archived and catalogued and will make them more widely and regularly available for viewing by the general public.

The collection will still be used as a valuable learning and teaching resource for students.

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Anatomy museum