Here are a few ways of exploring new and interesting items from the archives:
We’re delighted to announce a new article in Journal of the History of the Neurosciences : ‘A divine right to photograph’: E. Graeme Robertson’s (1903–1975) historical motion pictures of National Hospital staff in 1933. The article provides a contextual summary of the many clips recorded alongside an in-depth inventory of all the personalities represented in the 1933 film. Selected photographs are used to indicate the contents of these remarkable films.
Toodayan, N., Robertson, D. G., Anderson, N. E., & Lees, A. J. (2024). ‘A divine right to photograph’: E. Graeme Robertson’s (1903–1975) historical motion pictures of National Hospital staff in 1933. Journal of the History of the Neurosciences, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/0964704X.2024.2371801
The footage is part of a series of archive footage available on Queen Square Archives website
Neuroradiology at Queen Square
This display held in Queen Square Library marks the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Lysholm Ward in 1949, featuring photographs, objects, and documents from Queen Square Archives including the early years of Neuroradiology in Queen Square, before the establishment of the Department.
40th anniversary of the first diagnostic scan at the NMR Research Unit
25th April marks the 40th anniversary of the first diagnostic scan being performed at the NMR Research Unit based at Queen Square. Two Queen Square professors, Ian McDonald and George du Boulay, recognised a new imaging technique, NMR scanning, had the potential for being a ‘game-changer’ for the diagnosis and treatment of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and persuaded the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society to provide a grant of £1 million, an enormous award for the time, to fund a ‘Multiple Sclerosis NMR Unit’ at Queen Square, the first imaging unit in the world dedicated to research into MS.
The unit was opened in 1984 by Prince Charles and had a Picker superconducting NMR imaging system (now universally known as MRI), initially at 0.25 Tesla. Further grants from the MS Society, provided a succession of five-year programme grants to sustain the research. Under McDonald’s leadership, the focus of the research was diagnosis, with the development of the ‘McDonald criteria’ used globally to aid the diagnosis of MS, understanding the pathogenesis of MS and on MR physics, with his successors moving towards developing outcomes for clinical trials.
With the passing decades, the NMR Research Unit has remained at the forefront of MS research and with the training of numerous neurologists and scientists as part of their post-graduate studies.
We’re delighted to announce that Professor Andrew Lees delivered the MacDonald Critchley lecture ‘Silent Language’ looking at the life & work of MacDonald Critchley in front of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries on October 3rd 2023.
A new portrait of Dr James Samuel Risien Russell, one of Britain’s first Black British consultants, was unveiled at the NHNN on 18th October, celebrating the pioneering researcher, teacher and neurology consultant at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
We’re delighted to launch a series of archive film footage.
Additional archive film footage will be added to a compilation on this website.
Available to purchase online with all proceeds of sales going to the National Brain Appeal. August 2022 update: the book now sells for £35 (plus postage or free collection)
Professor Andrew Lees’ new book Brainspotting: Adventures in Neurology, the sequel to his memoir Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment is published by Notting Hill Editions. An autographed copy can be purchased directly from the publisher. All royalties will go to Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
A short walk around the Square focusing on artwork, objects and buildings around the Square. Additional images and information are available in our Compilation and exhibition handout
Pioneering neurologist and UCL Professor commemorated with a blue plaque
James Samuel Risien Russell, one of Britain’s first black British consultants, a pioneering neurologist and Professor of Medicine at UCL, has been commemorated with an English Heritage London blue plaque.
taking place x
taking place X, a celebration of the enduring legacy of Julia Dwyer in the form of an award for students on the MA Interior and Spatial Design at Camberwell College of Arts. Julia was a member of the Embroidered Minds collaboration whose exhibition was displayed in Queen Square Library in 2016.
The Making of a Soulful Neurologist The Polyphony, February 2021
Professor Andrew Lees, Professor of Neurology at the National Hospital, Queen Square and at University College London and one of the most highly cited researchers in the world in the field of Parkinson’s disease, reflects movingly on his medical education.
Brainland: the opera based on true stories from the history of 20th century neuroscience, uncovered during research for two visual art exhibitions, created by artist Ken Barrett for Queen Square Archives. The website includes an interview with Professor Andrew Lees. See also Brainland podcast on the opera and Brainland podcast: BRAINWAVES: Hans Berger and the discovery of the EEG. See also Opening text and an extract from the Act 1 Scene 7 of the opera
Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS
Features Lotte Fuchs who worked at the National Hospital in the 1940s.
Floor cloth incorporating the National Hospital logo
This floor cloth is displayed as part of the Scottish design gallery at the V&A Dundee.
Chelsea Flower Show 2018: The fabulous Embroidered Minds Epilepsy Garden featured a ceramic tiled path using images drawn from Queen Square Archives. Please see Embroidered Minds website for further information.
Mentored by a Madman The William Burroughs Experiment: A conversation with A.J.Lees and Mike Zandi
Sir Victor Horsley (1857-1916): A Heart of Gold video tribute and blue plaque ceremony.
Patient 39 - PATIENT 39 is a short film adaptation of William Boyd’s short story ‘Ghost of a Bird’, starring Mark Bazeley and Alfie Stewart. Accompanying articles by Professor Andrew Lees.