Hunterian Professorship

The Hunterian Professorship, named after the pioneering surgeon John Hunter, is one of the most prestigious accolades awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE). Established in 1810, it recognises surgeons who have made significant contributions to surgical science through original research or innovation. Recipients are invited to deliver a Hunterian Lecture, an event that reflects the evolution and progress of British surgery.^[2]

Hunterian Professorship

Royal College of Surgeons of England (top) and John Hunter by John Jackson (below)

Established	1810[1]
Faculty	Royal College of Surgeons of England
Website	Royal College of Surgeons of England

History

The Hunterian Professorship was introduced under the terms of the Hunterian Trust, which was established to preserve John Hunter’s (1728-1793) anatomical collection.^[2] On 13 June 1805 the Trust mandated that a course of lectures be delivered annually using specimens from the Hunterian Collection.^[2] The first course was delivered by Everard Home, Hunter's brother-in-law and surgeon at St george's hospital, and William Blizard, from the London Hospital.^[2] Over time, the award evolved to emphasize groundbreaking surgical research.^[2][3]

Since the 1810, some of the most influential figures in British surgery have received the title, including John Abernethy, Sir Frederick Treves, Thomas Spencer Wells, and Berkeley Moynihan.^[2] Today, the award remains a highly competitive and prestigious honour, reflecting a tradition of excellence in surgical research.^[1]

Selection Process

Candidates for the Hunterian Professorship are assessed by an expert committee convened by the RCSE Council.^[2] Applications are reviewed based on originality, scientific impact, and contribution to surgical practice. The committee may consult specialist referees in particular fields before making a decision. Only a select number of Professorships are awarded annually, making it one of the most sought-after research honours in surgery.^[4]

Lecture Format

The Hunterian Lecture is traditionally delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, but awardees may incorporate their lecture into the programme of an appropriate national or international surgical meeting. The event is chaired by a member of the RCSE Council, and recipients receive a Hunterian Professorship Medal upon completion of their lecture.^{[citation needed]}

Appointments are made on the condition that recipients offer the College first-refusal publication rights in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.^[5]

Notable Past Hunterian Professors

19th century

List of Hunterian Professors

Year	Image	Name	Notes
1810		Everard Home William Blizard	[2]
1819		John Abernethy	[6]
1877		Thomas Spencer Wells	[7]
1885		Sir Frederick Treves	[8]
1888		John Bland-Sutton	[9]

20th & 21st century

List of Hunterian Professors

Year		Image	Name	Notes
1904			John Lockhart-Mummery	[10]
1913			Wilfred Trotter	[11]
1930s			Berkeley Moynihan	[12]
1970			Graham Stack	[13]
			Lord Ara Darzi	[14]
2024			Rajarshi Mukherjee	[15]

See also

• Arris and Gale Lecture