The most extraordinary Georgian - John Hunter

We highly recommend a trip to the Hunterian Museum based inside the Royal College of Surgeons, London. John Hunter's amazing collection was purchased by the government in 1799 and although two thirds of the accumulated pieces were destroyed by bombs in World War II it is still a truly fascinating place to visit.
From countless intriguing specimens arranged in the Crystal Gallery to a vast array of gruesome looking surgical tools bringing the history of surgery to life, the Hunterian Museum will leave you wanting to find out more about the man behind this extraordinary collection.

The picture above was taken pre World War I and gives you an idea of how vast the collection was, for a virtual tour of the current collection visit the Royal College of Surgeons website. John Hunter was the most famous surgeon of the 18th Century, a maverick pioneer who was responsible for the advancement in a number of medical fields. For a compelling read with none of the gruesome bits left out, pick up a copy of The Knife Man by Wendy Moore, a biography of John Hunter.