Presidents’ Cane
This cane was presented to the president of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh in 1831 by Dr. William Montcreiff, Fellow and Librarian of the College. The detail on the head of this cane has made it possible to identify it in numerous portraits of physicians associated with the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh, on display throughout the College. It is associated with the legacy of the College.
- It is the detail on this cane that has made it possible to identify this cane in the portrait collections at the College. Portrayed in both oil and photographic portraits, it has associations of legacy, status and symbolism within the College. In a sense, its prestige is similar to the ‘Gold-Headed Cane’ at the Royal College of Physician (London).
