Harley, Drs George and Vaughan

The following is an interim description which may change when detailed cataloguing takes place in future.

Material relating to the careers of Dr Vaughan Harley and Dr George Harley, including passport; diplomas; testimonials; obituaries and orders of service; notebook with account of travels in Turkey and Russia; essays and sketches; photograph albums; poems; and material relating to the family estate Walton Hall, Bletchley.

c.1845-1979

2 transfer boxes, 1 carton roll

The archives were given to the library at Wellcome Collection by the family of Drs George and Vaughan Harley in February 2011.

George Harley (1829-1896), physician. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, graduating M.D. in August 1850. He worked at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary before spending time abroad in France, Germany and Italy to further his studies.He was appointed to the lectureship on practical physiology and histology at University College London, in 1855, and also made curator of the anatomical museum. In 1856 he started practice in Nottingham Place. In 1859 he became professor of medical jurisprudence at University College London, and in 1860 physician to University College Hospital. In 1862 he received the triennial prize of the Royal College of Surgeons of England for his researches into the anatomy and physiology of the suprarenal bodies.

Vaughan Harley (1863-1923), physician. The son of George Harley. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating M.D. with honours in 1886, and awarded the gold medal for the best thesis. He then spent the time studying abroad. In 1893 Sir Victor Horsley invited him to return to London to organise the first department of pathological chemistry in England, in the pathological department of University College, London. Harley made it a centre of research for post-graduate students. In 1894 he was appointed Grocers' Research Student and held this for four years. When Sir Victor Horsley retired in 1896 Harley was appointed Professor of Pathological Chemistry, an appointment he held until 1919. He died in 1923.

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