The Goulstonian Lectures are an annual lecture series given on behalf of the

Royal College of Physicians The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a British professional membership body dedicated to improving the practice of medicine, chiefly through the accreditation of physicians by examination. Founded by royal charter from King Henry VIII in 1 ...

in London. They began in 1639. The lectures are named for

Theodore Goulston Theodore Goulston M.D. (or Gulston) (1572–1632) was an English physician, scholar, and founder of the Goulstonian Lectures. Life He was the son of William Goulston, rector of Wymondham, Leicestershire. He entered Merton College, Oxford, was el ...

(or Gulston, died 1632), who founded them with a

bequest A bequest is property given by will. Historically, the term ''bequest'' was used for personal property given by will and ''deviser'' for real property. Today, the two words are used interchangeably. The word ''bequeath'' is a verb form for the act ...

. By his will, dated 26 April 1632, he left £200 to the College of Physicians of London to found a lectureship, to be held in each year by one of the four youngest doctors of the college. These lectures were annually delivered from 1639, and have continued for more than three centuries. Up to the end of the 19th century, the spelling ''Gulstonian'' was often used. In many cases the lectures have been published. Gulston's widow bequeathedthe annual donation to the College of Physicians for them to arrange for one of the four youngest doctors to "read the lecture on some dead body (if it could be procured), to be dissected as the President and Elects should think necessary for the diseases to be treated of ; the lecture to be read yearly, between Christmas and Easter, on three days together ; and the reader to treat of three or more diseases, as the seniors of the College should direct ; ten pounds to be paid to the doctor who should read, and two pounds to the dissector and for burying the body".

Lecturers (incomplete list)

17th century

1701–1800

1801–1900

1901–2000

2001 – present

References

{{Reflist, 30em Annual events in London British lecture series Medical lecture series Royal College of Physicians