Sir William Osler, the Bibliotheca Osleriana and the creation of a history of medicine collection

Abstract

In addition to being the most famous English-speaking physician of his time, Sir William Osler (1849–1919) was an important bookman. After completing an illustrious medical career in Canada and the United States, he became Regius Professor at Oxford University where he formed an outstanding History of Medicine collection, bequeathed to McGill University, Montreal, Canada. This study considers Osler's qualities as a collector and bibliographer. Also considered is the role of his bibliographic executors in successfully completing the compilation and publication of the collection's catalogue, Bibliotheca Osleriana.