Kenneth Fitzpatrick Russell (1911-1987) was a surgeon and anatomist. In 1946 after serving as a surgeon in World War II, he decided to devote his talents to anatomy. From 1948-1968 he was Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy at Melbourne University, and in 1969 he was appointed Chair of Anatomy and Medical History at the university.

Ken Russell was to play an instrumental role in the acquisition of the Cowlishaw Collection, which is recognised as the most important collection of rare and historic medical books in Australia and New Zealand. Leslie Cowlishaw died in 1943, and his collection was offered to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians who were unable to accept it. Russell was on leave in Sydney and having learnt about the collection, contacted the College. The president, Sir Alan Newton immediately agreed to its purchase and by 1945, the collection was ensconced in the College library. This important collection is now located in the Council Room.

Russell’s interest in the collection continued until his death and he was Reader to the Gordon Craig Library and a member of the Library Committee. In 1979, Russell published a well-researched Catalogue of the Historical Books in the Library of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Significantly, he used a cut-off date of 1850 for his catalogue, reflecting that it was a date used in similar catalogues of libraries overseas and that it encompassed the most historically significant books in the collection.

A biannual Cowlishaw Symposium was suggested by Wyn Beasley in 1996 and the symposium, with a break during the COVID-19 years, was held again in 2025. The Kenneth Fitzpatrick Russell Memorial Lecture is an integral part of the proceedings, and the lecture is often published the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery.

In November 2025, the Heritage staff of the College were alerted to an auction of Ken Russell’s antiquarian books and medical instruments. We were fortunate to acquire funding to purchase some of the books and instruments. As the Centenary year is fast approaching, the thought of displaying and researching a Russell collection was appealing. It was also a means of celebrating Russell’s life, work and his important contribution to the College.

The auction was held in Sydney on 30 November, and thanks go to our bidder, Mike Hollands who was ably supported by Katherine Walsh. We were fortunate to secure 18 items for the Russell collection. The antiquarian books will complement those already in the Cowlishaw Collection and they include Johann Vesling’s Syntagma Anatomicum Locis plurimis..., 1647, a popular 17th century treatise, which has been described as among the earliest detailed and ‘stepwise’ depictions of anatomical structures and John Bell’s Engravings, Explaining the Anatomy of the of the Bones, Muscles and Joints, 1797. This volume is notable for its realistic and detailed engravings. An excerpt from the Royal Academy notes that: Bell's plates show his bodies as dead - rather than following an earlier convention in which the muscles are shown as contracted and functioning …

Several instruments were also acquired and these included an18th century Culpeper-type microscope in a wooden case. These popular microscopes were not the most effective type of microscope, but they are visually impressive. Therefore, our microscope will be a stunning complement to any relevant display. Other unusual acquisitions included a Lebenswecker (life awakener) and a combined knife and fork for amputees.

18th century Culpeper-Type microscope used for advancing optical technology and anatomical discovery

We look forward to the College’s centenary year in 2027 and the opportunity to display and research this newly acquired collection.