Guy's Hospital London. An exceptionally rare mid 18th.Century copper engraved Guy's Hospital Certificate by Henry Roberts to a Mr Peter Cheselden, Signed and dated 22nd August 1758 by John Belchier, Joseph Warner and Lewis Way. Printed on laid paper with images of Thomas Guy and the Good Samaritan. 26 by 40.2 cms to platemark. Wide margins (some short tears and creasing to margins not affecting image). Presented in an early 19th.Century ebonised reeded frame. 38 by 48.8 cms overall.
'Guy's Hospital. These are to Certify that Mr Peter Cheselden hath Diligently attended the Practice of Surgery, as a Pupil in the said Hospital, for Twelve Months last past, Witness our Hands this 22nd...Day of August...in the year of our Lord, 1758. John Belchier, Joseph Warner, Lewis Way, These are also to Certify that the abovesaid Mr Peter Cheselden...hath Diligently attended my Courses of Anatomy and Operations Witness our Hands this 22d. Day of August Joseph Warner.'
Surgical training at Guy's Hospital during the 18th.Century operated under a strict clinical system, deeply tied to its evolution from the ancient barber-surgeon tradition into an elite medical profession.
Before stepping inside Guy's Hospital, students were required to complete a formal apprenticeship lasting five to seven years under a master surgeon. This initial phase usually took place in community settings or private practice, where the apprentice learned manual skills, basic wound care, and compounding. Once the apprenticeship concluded, students travelled to London to finish their training. This final stage was known as "Walking the Hospital" which is exactly what this certificate documents.
Little is known of the career of Peter Cheselden, he appears to be a kinsman, possibly a nephew of the Great William Cheselden, 1688-1752, the most eminent and influential Surgeon and anatomist of the early 18th.Century. Widely regarded today as the founder of modern Surgery.
The other signatories to the certificate are: John Belchier, 1706-1785, eminent anatomist best known for his research into the growth of the human skeleton. Joseph Warner 1717-1801, the first surgeon to succesfully tie the common carotoid artery, a pioneer in vascular and opthalmic surgical techniques and Lewis Way d.1771 The President of Guy's Hospital.
GB