Our President

Notable Past Presidents

Since 1535, the Presidents and Deacons of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) have included:

• Andro Scott held office as Deacon on eight occasions between 1598 and 1627.
• Alexander Wood, Deacon from 1762 to 1764, had the distinction of treating two of Scotland’s most famous literary figures: Robert Burns for a sprained knee and Walter Scott about his lameness. 
• Joseph Bell, President from 1887 to 1889, was an excellent clinical teacher with a flair for making lightning diagnoses. His acute powers of observation inspired one of his pupils, Arthur Conan Doyle, with the model for Sherlock Holmes.

The long reign of Queen Victoria led to a number of RCSEd Presidents serving her in an official capacity. For instance:

• Douglas Moray Cooper Argyll Robertson, President from 1885 to 1887, and William Walker, President from 1871 to 1873, both held the appointment of Surgeon Oculist to Queen Victoria.
• John Smith, served as Surgeon Dentist to Queen Victoria in 1871 before being elected President the following decade.
• James Syme, James Spence and Patrick Heron Watson served as Presidents of the College and Surgeons to Queen Victoria.
• John Chiene, President from 1897 to 1899, was also the first President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

For further information on our past Presidents and Deacons, please contact the RCSEd Library.

List of Past Presidents

This list includes each of the Presidents and Deacons of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), arranged from the present day to 1535. Prior to 1778, the President was referred to as the Deacon.