Archivists from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have been awarded funding to digitise public health archives from the Sir Charles A. Cameron papers for the first time as part of Heritage Council’s Heritage Stewardship Fund.

Sir Charles A. Cameron (1830-1921) was a tireless campaigner for better hygiene, health and welfare for the city of Dublin and its people. As Medical Superintendent Officer of Health for Dublin Corporation, his research and campaigning led to improved public health during a particularly difficult period in the history of the city.

Sir Charles Alexander Cameron was a Fellow, Professor, President and Historian of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He was steadfast in his connection with and devotion to RCSI over 53 years. RCSI Heritage Collection holds some of Cameron’s personal archive including his diaries, publications and memorabilia.

Newly digitised material will include handwritten diaries and scrapbooks chronicling Cameron’s life and work, as well as reports on aspects of public health produced during his tenure as Medical Superintendent Office of Health for Dublin. The material will be launched online during Heritage Week 2022.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of RCSI, said, “RCSI researchers and educators are driven by the goal of improving the health of populations. By sharing Cameron’s materials we hope to inspire new understandings of pressing issues and lessons learned, and their relevance to future challenges to improving population health.”

Commemorating the centenary of his death, RCSI created an online exhibition telling the story of Sir Charles Cameron’s work and impact. The inaugural Sir Charles A. Cameron Award was presented to Doctor Mike Ryan in recognition of his global leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and to highlight the role of population health in the global effort towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Source: RCSI