News and events

Here are a few ways of exploring new and interesting items from the archives:

Professor Andrew Lees delivers MacDonald Critchley lecture

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.

Dr J. S. Risien Russell, one of Britain’s first black consultants, commemorated with portrait

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.

New display in Queen Square Library

Image caption

Charles Edouard Brown Séquard (1817-1894)
The display in Queen Square Library, to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of Brown Sequard’s retirement from the National Hospital, features photographs, objects, and documents from Queen Square Archives, including Brown-Sequard memorabilia on indefinite loan from The National Brain Appeal and images from Royal College of Physicians.

Previous displays

Film footage

We’re delighted to launch a series of archive film footage.

Additional archive film footage will be added to a compilation on this website.

Queen Square: A History of the National Hospital and its Institute of Neurology

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)

Brainspotting: Adventures in Neurology book published

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.

Self-guided Queen Square history walk

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

Older news and events

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Convalescent Home in East Finchley plaque

  • Poem by Jason Warren

  • 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.